Copenhagen- Family party
We had a nice morning at Willy and Karin’s, and then they
graciously offered to drive us into another area of Copenhagen where part of my
dad’s side of the family was gathering for a party. All of them were people at least Patti had
met before in person, or Dick and Patti had met via SKYPE. We were dropped off at Lars and Julie’s
apartment where they party was held.
Nearly all of the buildings in Denmark are over 100 or 200 years old. It is very funny to find the 100 year old
ones being considered pretty new.
Lars and his partner, Julie, were our hosts, and we were
joined by Kristin and Gitte, and Lars’ dad, Kjeld. What a really fine afternoon we all had
together. We ate great Danish sandwiches
and salad, and then went into the livingroom, where Lars hooked up his computer
to the big screen TV and we had a fascinating romp through old photos and life
on the island of Møn, where Patti’s grandmother, Hilda, grew up, as so did
Kjeld and Kristian.
Kjeld, just a couple weeks short of 85 years old, had a great memory for people and places and told all kinds of great stories. He is my father’s first cousin, one of two that we would have the chance to meet in person. He remembered very well when Hilda came on her only return trip back to Denmark in 1952. He shared that she had always been very homesick from Denmark, and especially for Møn, but when she got back, having taken the long ship ride form New York, she was homesick for America. Everything had changed, and in 30 years, her siblings had all married people she didn’t know, and had children that were no familiar to her. He told that she ended up making arrangements and going back to America sooner than she had planned. She never returned again, dying in 1966.
Kjeld, just a couple weeks short of 85 years old, had a great memory for people and places and told all kinds of great stories. He is my father’s first cousin, one of two that we would have the chance to meet in person. He remembered very well when Hilda came on her only return trip back to Denmark in 1952. He shared that she had always been very homesick from Denmark, and especially for Møn, but when she got back, having taken the long ship ride form New York, she was homesick for America. Everything had changed, and in 30 years, her siblings had all married people she didn’t know, and had children that were no familiar to her. He told that she ended up making arrangements and going back to America sooner than she had planned. She never returned again, dying in 1966.
Seeing actual old photos of Møn felt like seeing photos for
Hogwarts, or some other fictional place that you have read about, or heard
about but never though you could actually go there. And we will travel there tomorrow!
We talked about a lot of different topics over the course of
the afternoon in some very easy sharing.
Everyone was glad that Dick felt good enough to be able to attend the
party. Yah! Still not 100%, but so much better. Everyone except of Julie would be making the
journey south about an hour and ½ to Møn for the family gathering.
We ended the time with an American and Danish flag waving
photo opportunity. Lots of fun. In Danish you ask people to say “Applesine”
or orange in order to make them smile.
It was a very smiley time.
Willy and Karin then drove over and picked us up. What champs they have been with all of the
driving. Cars are very expensive in Denmark,
as well as gas running around
$8/gallon. Expensive. Everyone who can travels mostly by bus, train
and bicycle. It is a great luxury to be
driven. Thanks to them for such hospitality!
The four of us put together quick dinner of leftovers,
co-cooked, with Dick feeling well enough to join in rather than nibbling on something
bland. Yah, again! (Although he only had one Danish beer during the
whole time we were in Denmark…bummer for that!)
The day ended with
sitting again the garden and watching these amazing lily flowers, Night Lights”
who open as the sun is going down. More timelapse photography, only in real time. You can actually see the flower move. It is astounding!
Finally time to go to bed (we had some great discussions
about what “hit the hay” really means…”) but we knew the next day would need to
be up early for packing, because Møn was calling. What a fine day. What fine, fine family we have been fining in
Denmark!!!
“It's
funny how, in this journey of life, even though we may begin at different times
and places, our paths cross with others so that we may share our love,
compassion, observations, and hope. This is a design of God that I appreciate
and cherish.”
― Steve Maraboli
― Steve Maraboli
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