Greetings Hello Maria
I hope every thing is fine with you and Jeff. Wish you a very happy new year. It is never too late!!
I like to take a look to our photo from time to time. With my best wished and kind regards. I am still in Abu Dhabi
Omar
you are a writer Maria - I have been savoring this last blog, loving your writing and placing myself in the picture. You have made me long for Sweden! What a gift you have - and I hope that your future holds many more adventures to make rich your understanding of life - and thru you, ours too. Love, Sue
This is such a beautiful, beautiful piece of work - as you are. I can't wait until Mary Catherine Bateson gets here, and you can talk to her about writing. Perhaps that is what God wants you to do when you grow up.
Read Catherine's book, COMPOSING A LIFE, then read WITH A DAUGHTER'S EYE.
The pictures are wonderful!! Love you bunches, Adrie
you are right... about living in Sweden being "your" year abroad. Not many ask us about our time in Europe either. But not a day goes by that Keith and I, don't mention, to each other, some aspect of that "other life" we experienced. I enjoy those little looks we give each other, when some random thing concerning Europe pops up in the media, or in someone elses' conversation! We have all, and I mean all, of our photos rotating on the computer monitor as our screen saver, and it continuosly sparks memories, just for us. Sounds like your life now, is full of the challenges that come with "ordinary" family life, and also sounds like you are handling it extremely well! I like your phrase "While living away, it’s easy to forget the daily drama. Easy and an absolute gift."! Hears to never forgetting the "gift" of your life in Sweden... Happy Midsommar, Minnesota style!
I Wish! Hello Omar! I wish we were coming to Greece for the conference, but we are not. Coming from the US is far more expensive, so will be staying here.
You are welcome to visit us in the US sometime!
Maria
Hi Maria Dear Maria
I am planning to attend the ATINER Conferrence on Environment this year 2010. May I expect seeing you in Athens with Jeff.
With my Kindest regards
Omar
Oh, Maria, what a great "goodbye" to you year here. It was wonderful to get together for a year in my country too. We had so much fun with you guys and we love you all very much.
Can´t wait to see you again.
Love
Kacka
Wonderful reading!! agree with Karen.... I got teary at the beginning (of your journey) and now reading your last blog. It has been a great experience " traveling" with you.
ending a chapter... this is why I like reading your blog, I know exactly how you feel, is that empathy? We have been home 6 months and I think about our life in Poland every day. Reading your blog entries during this past year, helped me get over those feelings of isolation, and so thanks for letting all of us experience the European chapter of the Meatballs!
Thank You! Maria.....what a lovely closure to a wonderful year of thoughts and experiences. How will I know what's going on with the Jeremiasons from now on? We'll have to be in touch now that you're back in the neighborhood. How about a brunch really soon? Love to you all. UC
Hej so lange Oh, so this was a 5 kleenex blog!! Maria..you are such a gifted writer, thank you for letting me share in your year abroad. I will miss reading the adventures of the 5 meatballs in Sweden! Lyka till.
Meatballs last forever! Maria - I too hate for it to end - like a fascinating epic novel that's been rich and moving to read, with characters so ripe with life and joy and so true. I've read every word, followed every adventure, pictured each place and loved each person, especially Gunnel, of course. My voice is just one of many - saying thank you for your honesty and insight and humor and brightness of expression and clarity of voice and generosity of spirit to give us a window into your Swedish life. I can't wait to see what the Lord has next in store for you. Love, Sue
Myriad of Feelings!! It's so good to have you back and thanks for giving us some understanding of the all the thoughts and feelings that accompany such a transition. I like the picture of Jeff contemplating our flag and that your St. Peter neighbors used both the Swedish and American flags. We all have so much to be thankful for and the best we can do is live each day with gratitude for the freedom, friends and family we all enjoy.
Welcome home Meatballs!!!! I have been waiting for your "Arriving Home" blog. Jan told us about the suitcase dilemma, but it worked out. Glad you had a good trip home. I really enjoyed reading about your adventures of the past year!!
I can relate Hi there....just so you know I sat and cried my way through your entire email.....just a flood of memories and feelings came racing back from my years spent overseas. I don't know that there is an answer to your "now what"...you just take it one day at a time in reverse!
Hope to see you soon my friend. ~Karen
I am a cousin of Mary Johnson who is a friend of Jan and Jerry's...she forwarded all of your writings to me and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them, some I even read more than once; they were EXCELLANT!
What a wonderful experience for a young family. We have met Jan and Jerry in AZ as they are in the same park we stay in for a few months in the Winter, and have enjoyed their company as well.
Bob and Joanne Chevalier
rcheval@msn.com
1208 Cedar Way
West Fargo, ND 58078
Good writing Thank you for a good writing about our midsummer. For me, who is a part of the "Husaby midsummer tradition", it is very nice to read about it and realise that i have wonderful friends.
By the way, my name is Torbjörn, but Tobias is ok.
Thanks The year has flown by and your blog has been always a treat to receive. The Midsommar party looks and sounds magnificent. We'll have to have one out at your place next year! Welcome home. Looking forward to seeing you. Safe travels.
Our family has decided this is a good year for an adventure, as Jeff has earned sabbatical for the 2008-2009 academic year. We'll be living in Gothenburg Sweden (where Jeff will be doing mercury research) and plan to visit as many European countries as we can. On the list, Emma wants pizza in Italy, Signe wants to visit the Eiffel Tower and Jorgen is in search of a castle! As for Jeff and I, he wants to visit the land of his forefathers (Norway) and I'm in search of great local food wherever the road takes us.... full info
Omar
non-member comment
Greetings
Hello Maria I hope every thing is fine with you and Jeff. Wish you a very happy new year. It is never too late!! I like to take a look to our photo from time to time. With my best wished and kind regards. I am still in Abu Dhabi Omar