Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Adding good times to the grace chain


"For every season there is a time,"the Preacher said.
I'd like to add, "There are good times seasoned, even in the darkest of moments."
Back in 1933 my Grandfather let build a small hut, more like a shed, for my Grandmother, to help her get away from the smog and relieve her asthma. He run his own bus and cab company, and money was indeed very tight during the depression, but his love for my Grandmom overcame the obstacles.
My Grandmom died shortly after, but the hut became a beloved gathering place for the five kids and later on for their children and their children's children.


Just before my uncle Leif died, he saw too that the hut was to legally belonging to the Ljung family as long as it still was standing.
We don't own the plot, so if it falls, it's gone forever.
During the years family members have taken their turn to see to that the hut did not fall apart.


A couple of years ago my cousin Edith and husband Lars made a thorough restoration to rescue the little hut. They did it so nicely, one can hardly see the changes they had to do. Inside it looks exactly like it always has done. Every plate, every  jug, book, crayon, chair, pillow has its own special history.


I had to stand outside to get an interior picture. The neighbor hut is reflected in the window.
Here my parents celebrated their honeymoon 63 years ago, and here my mother longed to come for her 87th birthday on July 2nd.
The hut is situated 440 yards over sea level, but a new, private road made it possible to drive almost to the door.


We brought birch logs from home and made up a cosy fire.
Grass and even moor wool frowing on the roof.
Heavy fog lay along the valley, but we didn't mind. Being together inside, sharing old memories and making new ones, was what counted.


Sandwiches, coffee and cream cake was on the menu. Even though they were bought at the local bakery, they tasted excellent. The home brewed coffee was steaming hot.


Throwing water at the photographer,- what fun sport!
As you can see; the hut is small as small can be. The giant paving stone is place there by my uncle Kaare. I never understood how he managed it. No horse, no crane.

Brother Kel bravely fighting his daily migraine. His nose has become just like our Grandfather's.
Year follow year and we don't even realize that days coming and going are life itself.
This very day will shine like a bright star on the sky of memories.
5 days after my mother broke her arm and hurt her eye.  One more exhausting trip to the hospital. even so; her birthday in the mountain is even more valuable. This was what we were talking about while waiting 6 hours for the doctor to come. We were looking at pictures, chuckling of joy.
Thanks for all your heart felt prayers. They were heard.

Magical Mystery Teacher is hosting Ruby Tuesday 2 together with Gemma Wiseman

17 comments:

Liz said...

What a beautiful post! I'm glad your family tries to keep the hut in good condition. It has a lot of stories to tell!

My entries:
Moms... Check nyo
Yummy-as-can-be

beagleAnnie said...

I really enjoyed this post. Beautiful pictures and heartwarming story. Thank you for sharing.

Terry said...

dearest felisol, i am usually a chatter box but this lovely post has left me speechless and in tears...i will try to come back later...how i love the ljung family!...love terry

Carol said...

What loving story and beautiful little get away . SO glad the family is keeping the little cabin alive and cherished.

Annie Jeffries said...

What a beautiful post, Elise. I feel like a family member invited to make the celebration and arrived just in time to enjoy the love and happiness.

I grew up never feeling attached to one place. We moved top much. By the time I was 12 and we settled in San Diego, it was too late to grow those feelings of attachment. SD is just the place I finished growing up.

Thankfully, I think I was able to impart that feeling to my children. Krista is still here and even though Quanah has been away forever, he always calls this place home.

I don't think they will ever feel that yearning for connection. They have it just like you have it to this place, this hut, this history.

So glad to see your mom getting around. Better a broken arm than a broken foot, I say. Believe me, I know.

Love
Annie

Crown of Beauty said...

Dear Felisol, The pictures are beautiful.

It looked really cold, but lovely and warm inside your hearts... The memories are important for hope and healing.

Mother was looking good. I am praying she will recover from the fall, and her eye will heal completely.

Love
Lidia

Maria Stahl said...

Thank you, dear, for this post - what beautiful pictures, especially the one of your daughter and mum with their heads together over a private joke.

Gemma Wiseman said...

O what an incredible, beautiful post! The story of your family is warm, reaching in to our souls! So love the ambience of that little shed!

Robin said...

What a treasure of family history. I'm so sorry your mother was hurt, I hope her memories of a wonderful day at the hut sustain her in her healing.

steveroni said...

Posts such as yours are what makes blogging SO worthwhile. Reading them brings such contentment, peace, and Joy!

Thank you, Felisol. I pray that your mother suffers minimal pain or discomfort. And heals rapidly.

Blessings, Dear Peep!

Amrita said...

I was remembering your family hut the other day, I remeber reading about it sometime back.


Its a visit down memory lane and family history. So glad Monten could celebrate her birthday there.

This place is preserved and protected by angels.

I love the family portraits.

May Kel be healed of his migraine

Leah H. said...

Great post Felisol.. Thank's for sharing..

Visiting for Ruby Tuesday 2- hope you can stop by..

http://www.mommys4seasonsjourney.com/2012/07/trespassers-warning.html

Debbie Petras said...

My heart is so happy to read this post and see your photos. Your mom and Serena; such beautiful smiles. Hang on to the laughter and the good times. In between the difficult days, they keep you going. I know you are trusting the Lord but it's good to take moments to enjoy and to laugh.

My mother's family has one of these huts in Norway. I have photos of my parents and relatives together having coffee and sandwiches and cake. Very similar. Many in the family go there during the summertime.

I thank you for your honesty on my post with the umbrella. Isn't the Lord so wonderful with His grace and mercy? And yes, it can be so difficult dealing with healthcare people who don't seem to respond very well.

Sending you hugs across the ocean.

Love,
Debbie

Mrs. Mac said...

What wonderful memories you have and continue to make at your little hut. The photos are so full of color and life. Lines on faces of well lived people. And young Serina with her natural beauty shining. You are a wonderful to let your friends tag along on your blog. Please give your mother a BIG/gentle hug and best wishes when you next talk .. from Mrs Mac.

Trish said...

Oh Felisol...I am so sorry to hear about your Mom's fall. What a precious place to spend her birthday...praying for you all.
Love,
trish

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Dear Felisol:

These pictures are just wonderful. I think your mother looks just great! When all we have are pictures of those we haven't met, it is so good to study each one. And the cabin with the grass on the roof is just like the one my mom's family had for their summer home. Hitler's troops destroyed a lot of it during their invasion, but I think they kept it and restored it.

Your Norwegian stories and pictures always warm my heart.

I'm praying for your mom so often, and am thankful she has such a precious family surrounding her.

Keep the great photos coming!

Love,
Sonja

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

What an incredible place , it so storybook like !I love the grass roof! So full of history & family memories ,glad it has been restored!
This is a beautiful post, thanks for sharing!

ps Praying for your Mother. :)