Saying goodbye

We left for Stockholm about an hour ago and said "see you soon" to our Swedish family. It is so hard to leave after our two weeks together. I've been looking at photos on the train and reliving the memories feeling so grateful for the warm welcome and experiences. We have been able to experience Swedish culture in a way that few tourists are able from preparing and participating in midsommer celebrations, baking tunn brod, going to a fabod for a family party, picnicking in the forest, hiking the mountain, visiting homes, making pizza in the bake house and just being welcomed into family life. Everyone, but especially Mats, Sara and Karin, cleared their schedules to create a schedule that was both relaxing and full.

Sweden is beautiful. We felt like we were in a living museum as the people keep the best of the past alive while embracing the new. The wild flowers were like nothing I've seen before but yet it was also so familiar. I can see why our ancestors chose to immigrate to Minnesota. The land is much like Minnesota. I walked on the island in and took in all the red and white buildings, log structure older than our country, the flowers, rolling hills, cows, and counted my blessings for the experience.

I spent my last day on the island taking in more of the experience. Mats introduced us to his cows. He has such a special relationship with them. He calls them, they lift up their heads one by one and come running. They line up as they reach him and he greets each one. Yes, they are raised as beef cattle but they are happy and loved while they live. He also showed us how his wood chip furnace works. He heats multiple houses through this system and as a forest farmer, he usable to use unsellable wood as wood chips.








Sara and Karin made a delicious farewell dinner and brought it to our home where we sat out on the porch enjoying the evening.





Karin and Sara


Mats and Gunnell


We made our last trek to Magnus and Karin's porch where the kids were waiting to spend some time. We played a number of games together teased and laughed in a way that it didn't matter who spoke English or Swedish, and we made plans for future visits. We sat on the porch a couple of times each day, using their wifi to check email and posting blog entries. Often this turned into a time for coffee or wine.











At the train station.

So what will I take away? There is always time for family, in fact we need to make time for family. My ancestors were tough, hardworking people who lived simply and with great tradition. There is always time for coffee.


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