No Goodbye, No Bond: The Silent Grief of Monique from Winter vol Liefde

The deep and heartfelt relationship between Mike and his mother Monique from the popular Dutch reality show Winter vol Liefde moved many viewers. Yet, behind their warm mother-son relationship lies a past marked by pain and loss. In an open interview with Vrouw, Monique shares her story of growing up without a mother and only hearing about her mother’s death after the cremation.

What began as a story about love unfolds into a tale of heartbreak, loss, and the conscious decision not to repeat the pain of the past.

Growing Up Without a Mother Figure

Monique didn’t grow up with the comfort and love of a mother. Her parents separated when she was only two years old, and her mother prioritized her career over raising her. “She had no time for me,” Monique explains.

Raised by her father, Monique’s dad took on both the roles of mother and father, faithfully supporting her until she turned eighteen. Her mother would sometimes visit briefly, but never enough to build a true mother-daughter bond. The absence was deeply felt, especially at every milestone, from puberty to adulthood.

The Unexpected News About Her Mother

The relationship between Monique and her mother was so distant that Monique only learned about her mother’s passing after the cremation had already taken place. She received the news unexpectedly through an aunt. “One day I got a message from my aunt telling me she had passed away and had already been cremated – that was another blow.”

The shock was huge, even though the relationship had long grown cold. Not being able to say goodbye made the loss feel even more final and painful, highlighting just how unbridgeable the distance had become.

A Strong Bond with Her Father

Fortunately, Monique could rely on her father for many years, sharing a very close bond. He was her safe haven and guided her through the hardest times. But that, too, ended suddenly.

“He died in an accident on the day Mike turned fifteen,” Monique shares. They were supposed to celebrate together, but instead, the police knocked on her door: “He was hit by a car and died instantly.” The pain of losing her father, who meant everything to her, still marks her life as a turning point.

Making a Conscious Choice for Love and Closeness

Because Monique knows all too well what it’s like to miss out on love, she made a vow to do things differently with her own child. “I always promised myself I would do things differently if I ever had children. I wanted Mike to have a mother who is really there for him.” She succeeded in this – the love between her and Mike is obvious, even through a television screen. Viewers saw a mother who supports her son unconditionally, something Monique never experienced herself.

Unaffected by Criticism from Outsiders

However, that strong mother-son bond also brought criticism. “Mike was even called names like ‘momma’s boy’ and ‘gay’,” Monique says openly. She refuses to be rattled: “All I can say is: it all comes from love.” No matter what people say, she knows she has built a relationship with her son that’s rooted in genuine care, attention, and love – exactly the things she lacked as a child.

Read the original article at: https://streamzine.nl/geen-afscheid-geen-band-het-stille-verdriet-van-monique-uit-winter-vol-liefde/