R.I.P. Sweet Papa

Papa Van Berkum Jan 1, 1934 – May 25, 2025 91 years old Returned to Love

Papa always told me, since I was a little girl, that when his time came, he wanted to pass peacefully… in nature. And I never forgot those words.

Although many of you saw the beautiful moments and triumphs we shared on Instagram, the journey wasn’t easy—especially living where we live, in remote Northern Nicaragua. Over the years here, I’ve had no real outside support. I had to figure it all out in real time—how to care for someone through every evolving stage of aging.

This journey taught me how to care for Papa in ways I never imagined—improving his Alzheimer’s with brain health nutrition and living in nature, and teaching him how to walk again after hip surgery, since no physical therapists were available in our beautiful, but remote location. I had to learn how to navigate diaper changes—first when he was still able to walk, and then again when he became bedridden. Five years after he relearned how to walk (last year) following hip surgery, he suffered a 4th-degree burn on his back that, tragically, left him unable to walk again. The doctors said he needed a skin graft, but I refused—knowing we could heal it naturally. And one year later, we did. The doctors were shocked at how strong Papa was! This past year, he couldn’t walk because of that burn—but he still smiled, still laughed, still kissed everyone’s hand—woman or man—and told everyone he met that he loved them.

Together, Papa and I lived through so much: construction projects, raising Noni and Chia, the Nicaraguan protests, and navigating the Covid chapter. Along the way, I weaned him off all medications, revived his short-term memory, and witnessed a profound transformation in his spirit. Papa blossomed in his 80s—becoming more joyful than I had ever seen him.

I relied on my holistic knowledge of the body and nature to keep him strong and healthy. I trained my local Nicaraguan staff—local village girls who treated Papa like family—to help care for him according to my standards: balanced nutrition, therapeutic movements, daily creative expression through art, and as much sunlight as possible. They all called him Papa—not just me. He loved them and thanked them every single day. He was so grateful for all the help and kindness.

Papa made jokes with my staff and sang the Dutch national anthem when he was happy—and he was happy so often that they knew the chorus and words. Even though they didn’t speak English or Dutch, they could hum the rhythm by heart.

Two weeks ago, I moved Papa into my main house for various reasons, that I now look back and believe were serendipitous. He was meant to be there so I could be there fully for his final days. I wheeled his bed in front of my big glass windows. He looked out at the palm trees, fruit trees, flowers, and cactuses with wide eyes, then looked at me and said: “Grace… am I in Amsterdam?” I giggled and said: “Yes, Papa, after all these years, you’re finally in Amsterdam.” Maybe I knew it before I admitted it—Papa had always seen Amsterdam as the place he would say goodbye.

I went away for two weeks, and when I returned, Papa was so happy. Every time I spoke to him, he smiled so big—beaming with joy. He kept telling me how glad he was that I was home. And little did I know—though I certainly know now—he was waiting for me. He waited for me to come home….to begin his journey beyond this life

Papa took his final breath in my arms on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 1:04 pm.  I was with him every moment of each phase and I feel so blessed.

For three sacred days and nights, I sang to him, brushed his hair, chanted blessings, and whispered I love you over and over again. He said it back many times—until he couldn’t speak anymore. Then he mouthed it. And when he no longer had the strength for even that, he made soft sounds in his throat every time he heard my voice say I love you.

I thanked him for being my father. I told him he was safe. That everything was going to be okay. That it was time to rest. I recited the Ho’oponopono prayer. I chanted “Rama” over and over. I played classical music. Lit incense. Soaked cloths in essential oils to cool his skin. I massaged his feet. Laid my hand on his heart. Brushed his hair. Kissed his forehead. Kissed his hands. I kept chapstick on his lips to soothe the dryness from mouth breathing. And I lay beside him, so he wouldn’t be alone.

His mission on this earth was complete. He left peacefully in my arms in nature. With love in his heart.

We did it, Papa.

I was actually supposed to be in the Bahamas teaching this week, but something told me not to go. I didn’t know why at the time. Now I do—I was meant to be here for every moment of his transition. This was our destiny.

So many people were inspired by his story of healing cancer nearly 20 years ago and then reversing Alzheimer’s. A documentary was even made about him this year (https://www.gracevanberkum.com/papaPapa) Papa had no idea how many people he touched and loved him around the world! In fact, many people have come to my GLO Center in Nicaragua and told me they came for him, not me! ;)

Papa once said to me: "Grace, don’t be sad when I die, because I’m not going to die…..just my body is.” And now I remind myself of these words. And I know Papa is all around me.

Papa returned to love. And even in his passing, he is teaching me to do the same.

And maybe, in the end, that’s what this life is really about—loving one another enough to walk each other home.

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Papa will live on through my work, especially as I deepen my focus on brain health and Alzheimer’s healing. His journey became the foundation for a new chapter of my purpose. He will also live on in the recipes, stories, and teachings I continue to share with the world. Everything I create now carries his spirit—his resilience, his joy, his quest for truth, and the love that transformed both our lives. Papa showed us all what it means to live and also die with courage and with love.

If you would like to see some special photos of Papa from over the years in Nicaragua, see his IG account where I will still be posting regularly about his documentary, the new book of short stories I am writing, and the brain health recipe book I am creating.

https://www.instagram.com/papavanberkum

If you would like to see his documentary made by a British filmmaker: click here. https://gracevanberkum.com/papa