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Published: September 8th 2009
I wrote the following blog just two weeks after we returned...that was almost 2 months ago. I've been using the excuse that I wanted to add some good photos, but that's just an excuse. It's the last one and then the adventure is truly over. I'm not sure I'm ready for that. Like most things, the memories get better with a little time and distance. Our friends, the Marchionne's, fellow Americans living in Kullavik, posted a blog today with their latest adventures set to ABBA's Mama Mia. I cried the whole time that I watched it. That was probably a little over reactive, but here are my thoughts on that. I'm at a serious transition in my life right now. I planned for this great year abroad, I planned the whole time we were abroad, I turned 40 and my baby goes to kindgergarten on Thursday. I don't have a job. I need a job. My qualifications aren't that impressive on paper. Yep, I'm a little emotional. However, my family went to South Dakota this week-end to spend a couple days with Mom and Dad and anyone that stopped in. It was a great week-end and it was such a joy and blessing to be able to just hop in the car and head west on roads we knew so well. I hadn't seen my sister Anne, yet, and I was finally able to do that. I cried a bit... So, they changed something on the blog with photos and now I can't figure out how to post those photos I was waiting for. No photos, sorry about that.
Meatball Drippings…
Any good cook knows that it’s the drippings that make the best sauce and it’s a great sauce that makes any dish memorable. We 5 Swedish Meatballs have had an abundance of “drippings” this year that helped to make our 11 months (332 days, to be exact) abroad so very tasty. Neither Jeff or I would say it was an easy year, we both agree that we don’t need to repeat the experience any time soon. I’m not going to speak for Jeff any further, but I will tell you that I’m glad we did it. The reasons that I’m thankful for the experience are many, but it's the people I’m most grateful for.
Mark Johnson, Carina Mathisson and Ellen. First we were friends in St. Peter, MN, then you left for Sweden. You found us a place to live. Follow that with crayfish feasting, julbord training, skiing, Liverpool rummy, Melodifestivalen and a last night sleepover…well, we're friends for life.
Ingrid Tronstad, Pål, Tjorus and Theoline. Ingrid, you told me 6 months wasn’t enough to experience living abroad and you were right. Had we left Sweden during those dark winter days, I can’t say we would have left with great feelings. You stepped in every time I really needed a friend and you picked me up. You are one of my oldest friends (lengthwise, not age!) and I cherish that. You shared your family, your country, your home, your weekends and we are grateful. You are an amazing artist, Mom and friend…and your memory scares me. I wish I could be the kind of person to close down every party, but if it can't be me, I'm glad it's you!
Gunnel Klingener. Sweden should hire you as an ambassador of Swedish kindness and goodwill. Just thinking of you brings a lump to my throat. Your friendship saved me this year. It saved me and it schooled me, I’m a better woman because of your lessons. Your knowledge of Sweden is remarkable, but your life lessons are what I cherish the most. My family loves you, all of my guests have loved you…even my blog followers love you. What can I say other than, “you’re fantastic”?! Thanks, also, to Kristine, Mathilda and Julia for sharing your Mom/Grandmother with me...I'm so grateful.
Our Visitors: Each of you came to Sweden with a different perspective and helped us to experience it through your eyes, after ours had grown used to it. Thank you Mary (twice!), Neal (in winter!), David, Jan (Grandma!), Joan, Kristen (a marathon?!), Rob, Lydia ("someone my age", said Emma), Kate (just passing through to Australia!), Frida, Melissa, Hassie, Andrew, Val and Chelsea. We appreciate that you used your vacation time and dollars to share this experience with us and we cherish the memories.
My friends at Kullavikkyrkan. Thank you for giving me a home. There are so many of you that I’m not going to name names, but each of you filled a need for me. Maybe you translated a story for me, said a prayer on my behalf, let me into your kitchen, greeted me at the door with a smile and handshake, sang when I didn't think I could hear any music...and then I could, called me by name or laughed at my sorry humor. It all mattered greatly to me. You are unique and miraculous and I will never forget. I hope that many of you will find your way to Minnesota.
Our Husaby Friends. You saw the blog and know that it was a week-end like no other. Thank you, again…and we expect to see you here next! Thanksgiving or July 4th would be nice American holidays (we SO enjoyed Midsommer!), but we'll take you whenever we can get you!
Chad and Kristine Rislov. We’re not certain if we really loved Berlin or if it was you guys that made it special, we’ll have to go back to find out. MMMMmmmm, good beer, too.
Mary Oss, Rudi, Elizabeth and Anna. Eleven days is a long time to have guests, and we thank you for sharing your beautiful space with us. Your “insider’s” view of Italy was priceless. Getting to know you better...even more so.
Ann-Carin, Anders, Klas and Erik. Please, please come visit! Thank you for just being so generous with your car AND your friendship. We loved our boat trip to the island! I think of you each morning when I see your little pitcher sitting by my coffee maker. I can't wait to make that big American breakfast for you in my American kitchen!
The Iverson Family. Our sweet wheaten terrier, Maya, found a loving home with you. We know she wasn’t easy, we appreciate the lengths that you went to to keep her well for us. We’ve loved you for a long time, now she does, too. I'm glad our friendship survived a canine swap.
You. Yep, you, my faithful readers. When I decided to keep a travel blog, I intended to just write about the places that we visited…in bulk so that our families could follow us. Clearly, it became a bit more than that. I thank you for following me, I thank you for your comments and messages. Sometimes your comments were the only outside human feedback I would get for days (my husband and kids don’t count in this category), and I savored them. I’m sure there are times I’ve bored you, but I hope there have been moments when you’ve also laughed and perhaps even dreamed of your own adventure. Believe it or not, I didn’t tell you everything.
Dad, for naming us "The Meatballs". I think it's going to stick.
My Meatballs, starting with Jeff. In our twenty years together, you and I have moved many times, we’ve mostly lived on a shoestring budget, we’ve had a few adventures. I know you will agree that this was the most difficult year, so far. Thanks for earning your sabbatical so we could have this experience. I can already feel the dark days slipping away and I’m so glad we have these new memories to add to our history.
Emma. You are a brave and amazing young woman. Not all 13 year old girls would embrace leaving their friends for a year, heading into an unknown country, school and language. We uprooted you for the first time when you were just three months old and you have been there, mostly smiling, through every move. It goes without saying that you are brilliant, learning to fluently speak a new language in a few months and making friends like it’s just nothing new. You know more than your Mom about language, and a few other things. You are beautiful and a fantastic big sister. By the way, way to GROW so you could get a whole new wardrobe in Sweden!
Signe. You, too, are brave and amazing. I want to tell you how proud I am of you. You were scared walking in to a classroom where only the teachers could speak your language - I was scared, too. You quickly made friends and learned the language and it’s so beautiful to hear you speak it. You are creative and did a great job making fun with whatever was available to you. You worried about things and then did them anyway…that’s the stuff of heroes. The best performances this year came from you - you started the Class 3D Dance Revolution. You rock! You are funny and beautiful and smarter than me by a long shot.
Jorgen. I hope that you will remember all of the fun things you did this year. You kept us in stitches and your Mamma in “sugar” and that’s what I needed the most. There isn’t anything I would trade for snuggling with you every night…whether under an Italian blanket or a Norwegian blanket, it’s you that makes it cozy. How wonderful that you made friends and learned to speak their language and taught your dag mamma to speak better English. I love that you hum songs while you play and that you build the greatest Lego creations I’ve ever seen.
God and Guardian Angels. Not a person to thank, exactly, but clearly the most important. I do not believe, for even one second, that all of the magnificent connections this year were by chance. I also know that it’s remarkable for an active family of five to not make one trip to a clinic, hospital or dentist in the course of a year. We didn’t and I think it’s proof that we have really good guardian angels watching over us. Stick with us.
I don't want to say good-bye, I can't believe it's over. I guess this is it. Pass the gravy...and lingonberries.
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Sue Awes
non-member comment
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