Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A SEPIA GOODBYE


http://sepiascenes.blogspot.com/
I always was my daddy's girl.
Tied to him by innumerable bonds. Here we had traveled six hours by boat to get to the ophthalmologist. I was three and my dad taught me reading and writing on that trip.
As years and tears go by, I realize that in life's versatile areas of knowledge,learning,skills,ethics, love, no one has had this immense influence on me like my father had.
To cell and backbone marrow level, that is..
After finishing gymnasium, I wanted to work for a year, to find out where and what to study. At the age of eighteen I became a teacher for half a year. Just past nineteen, I decided I had to try something else. Got a job in an old fashioned psychiatric ward. There was a nurse and me, taking care of 30 men.
My parents did not like me to leave home in that mission. My father had to go to his office. When I came down the morning of departure I found this message.
We didn't know of Valentine's back then, but the date is February 14th. The paper has not been manipulated. It has had its place in my Bible all these years.In my 51th year, I in three days managed to break both wrist and ankle. Diagnosis osteoporosis. My dad came to town comforting and helping out. He was 79. Gunnar caught this precious moment..
Thank you, EG Tour Guide, for helping me out with the pictures.Wow,I even managed to sharpen my Ruby homeoffice collage. By and by I will get better.

31 comments:

Annie Jeffries said...

What heartwarming and filled with overflowing love. What a beautiful Sepia Wednesday offering.

Amrita said...

Thank you for sharing such lovely warm memories of your childhood with us. The photo is so precious Felisol.

I never had such a close relationship with my filks while growing up. They were good parents but too busy trying to provide for us - they did the best they could.

I was quite close to my grandma, she treated me special.

Its really amzing how you go for hikes having osteoporosis.

You know the blanket you are lying on, one with the squares is very much like one my mother made , my sister helped her and now its with her.They made little woollen sqares and stitched them together.

Amrita said...

One more thing I forgot to say.

You were really brave to start working in a phychiatric ward at such a young age.

Catherine said...

I've loved to read about your special link with your father. Very touching, and moving.
Your first picture is wordless. I feel the bond between you both.
His written note is a treasure.
Sometimes sepia brings nostalgia.

maryt/theteach said...

Felisol, these are wonderful, sensitive photos! EG is a doll to help you. What a thoughtful, loving father! :)

Come to my Sepia Scenes #17 post at 4:00 PM EST to sign Mr. Linky and comment if it's alright!

Anonymous said...

What a great tribute to your dad.

Robin said...

Such a beautiful love story between a father and child, taking care of you so tenderly at both 3 and 51 and so many years in between.

How is it that he was writing to you in English? And did you say 6 hours by boat to see an opthamologist? Our lives can be so alike sometimes, but then so very different.

Mojo said...

What a great tale, and a great dad! The photos tell the rest of the story, and it's obvious there was a lot of love between you.

The ceiling in my post actually is a relief. The medallion is a painted plaster "fresco" (not sure what else to cal it even though I believe "fresco" refers specifically to walls). Desaturated, and with contrast enhanced, you can see the shadows more easily.

It really is beautiful, if a bit pretentious.

Rose said...

I really enjoyed this post!

Grace said...

Hi Felisol, it is my first time here in your blog and I want to say that you got a nice blog in here. I just so enjoyed reading your post. :)

Ralph said...

The top photo is one to treasure. It shows the bond you shared, as you are looking into each others eyes and did not see anything else but each other. You have written so lovingly of your father, it cannot ease the pain of loss...You had such a loving relationship. It is still special, and these pictures prove it!

Debbie Petras said...

It's so wonderful to read about your relationship with your father. How few women have that. I am also fortunate to have a good relationship with my dad while growing up. I think that impacts how you relate to men.

I'm so sorry to read about your broken bones and the osteoporosis. It's quite common at our age you know. When I had a bone scan my doctor thought I would also have it but I don't. She told me that women who are of Scandinavian heritage are at higher risk. But she said my exercising has helped so I guess that's another reason to exercise but only after you are all healed, Felisol. BTW, thank you for your prayers. How sweet to receive your note. I'm going to write you back.

Kilauea Poetry said...

Oh wow..thank you for bringing me cheer on this gloomy day! The best thing I read all day. I absolutely think that picture top, captures every word you had to say about your father! How wonderful that must be!

Anonymous said...

Oh My Goodness, this is soo touching - I have tears in my eyes!!! I agree w/ Annie - Heartwarming & filled with overflowing love!!! Such magnificent photos!

EG CameraGirl said...

Very good, Felisol!

These photos and the story along with them made my eyes water. Sounds like you have a WONDERFUL father.

PJ said...

This is a treasure, such obvious devotion between father and daughter. Isn't it nice to get help from fellow bloggers?

Carletta said...

Such precious images!
You can just feel the love your Dad had for you in that first photo. His hair is gorgeous. I notice it because my own Dad's hair was thick and wavy as well.
I love that no matter what age we are we are still our parent's child as your second photo shows. I love his face in this one.

Saija said...

the pictures are so wonderful too ... :o)

(hugs)

Rebecca said...

Beautifully written account of a very precious relationship...and how amazing that the note you have was dated Feb. 14th.

John Cowart said...

Your post makes me wonder how my own children will regard me in years to come.

Anonymous said...

Well, my goodness, this turned out to be the best post I have read and seen this morning. WOnderful writing and the photography ain't bad either.

Sherrie said...

Hi!
That's an awesome Sepia post!! Wonderful photos to have along with the memories! Have a great day!!

Sherrie

Dianne said...

beautiful and touching photos

KOSTAS said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Trish said...

Felisol~ Such beautiful memories of your father...Oh, I miss mine more every day!
As always your photo's are lovely!!!
Thank you!

Mrs. Mac said...

The sepia ads such warmth to your photos. I love the adoring smile your father is giving you in the 'wee daughter' pic :) and again in his golden years watching over you while your bones mend. May your memories fill your heart ... enough to last til you meet your dad in the heavenly realm. Hugs from the North Woods.

Crown of Beauty said...

How warm the memories that your pictures stir up in my heart. I also have a good relationship with my father... you are a fortunate woman to have such a special relationship, a gift from God. Such memories keep you warm in the winter season.

donna said...

beautiful....

love and hugs
donna

Eaton Bennett aka Berenice Albrecht said...

You are so very fortunate to have had that love and bond with your Father and the treasured memories.

Eaton.

Terry said...

Dear Felisol. This is where I last checked your blog and I could not get the pictures of you and your Dad out of my mind.
Through out the last few days, I have been waiting when I could come and visit you.
It has been a busy week for me as you must well know, eh?

This note that you got from your father is a real treasure indeed and it was so kind of you to share it with us and it is even in English!
Gracey is going through the heat ache this week of having to say good by to her youngest child, Justin. He is stubborn in his mind to move to Japan and it is just so hard for all of us to not shed a few tears over this. It is so far away and we will surely miss him.
I am glad that you never lost sight of your family and I am praying that Justin doesn't.
I think that he is about 28 years old...

Felisol, you never said goodbye to Dad Ljung.
You said, "So long....see you later Dad!"
Your Dad is very precious Felisol and so are you....Love Terry

Felisol said...

My daddy writing to me in English was not unusual.
He'd often write in English or German from our childhood on, to inspire us.
When the four of our little family played cards, he'd count in English, German, French, Russian, Finnish (Yxi axi kolme), Swedish, Icelandic just to make learning fun and interesting.
Did he succeed?
My brother is translating English bridge books for fun and I' having a great time writing this blog in English.
ini was his special name for me.
"Ha det" Norwegian slang for goodbye. To rhyme the word father.