Archive for July, 2009

My Grandma died last night.

She was old, 98.5 years old, so it didn’t come as a BIG surprise – but it happened so fast – one day she was bright alert and on the go – the next one she is no more.

Me and Grandma have a lot of history that is very dear to me, I’ve spent a great part of my childhood visiting her and Grandpa in their yellow house (that was sold when after Grandpa died 17 years ago). My Grandma was a woman with a strong opinion about just about everything, we spent a lot of time discussing issues of all kinds. Sometimes we disagreed greatly, usually we both got a lot to think about after debating. Most often we found some common ground in the end, and there was little or no hard feelings afterward. I think that was because we both loved each other deeply; no disagreement could change that!! After I started working as a pastor and moved away from home we haven’t had time to discuss all kinds of topics, but we have (off course) talked about church and theological issues, as she grew older she got a  bit milder and it was more a conversation than a discussion. I’m going to miss talking with her!!!

My Grandma had a great sense of humor and she laughed often.

Over the next week or so I’ll be using this blog to help me remember stuff about my Grandmother. It’s a nice way to gather my thoughts and find what  I think should be said in her funeral (I promised to help my mom with that). I guess I’ll be showing off a few photos as well as I have already.

MT lost his first tooth today.

He was so happy with a big grin on his face when he got home from kindergarten.

“Mamma. Mamma. See, my tooth is lose!” he shouted. “It came lose when I ate a bit of apple.”

He’s been waiting and wondering about this for weeks and months. He have friends losing their teeth – when will he?!

Today, my kid. Today it’s your day to lose a tooth.

He and Grandpa sat in the sofa talking about how the tooth could come out. They had some fun the guys talking about using a string and what not.

In the end, during dinner, the tooth more or less just fell out with MT saying: “The tooth came out. Where is a glass of water?!” (Right in front you, my dear, we usually drink water at the dinner table.)

By now he’s happily sleeping; eager to see what the tooth fairy left him the minute he wakes up tomorrow. (And, no, it’s not me telling him about the fairy…..but I might as well help her. Grandma chipped in as well, since they were here when the tooth came out…).

On another note.
My vacation is over. Tomorrow is work and time in the office. Lots to prepare and get ready for; the next 3 weeks I’m the only pastor there… the next 4 Sundays I’m in charge of the service and the next 2 Saturday I have weddings. Hopefully there won’t be more than 5 funerals(!)

Better get me some sleep then! Night

in a few moths we are moving.

here is our new house and new neighborhood.

new beginnings are both scary and filled with hope at the same time.

we have a good feeling for this, but also sadness for what we are leaving behind.

all photos taken on July 2nd when we got to see the house and office and talk with the pastor and his wife (and a few others).

We went to a family party yesterday afternoon. It was nice to be with them and sort of a tradition each summer. We ate barbecue outside and then cakes and coffee inside (since it started raining). In the late evening the rain stopped and the temperature wasn’t that bad so we all (not all come to think of it, but me, kiddo, my brother and his wife and kids) went to have a night swim in a nearby lake. The water was so warm and we had a great time together. Swimming, laughing, splashing and talking. Love you guys!!

Hoping to return to this lake another time this summer.