Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Arne Ljung born January 27th 1921

Two years ago we celebrated my Dad's birthday, January 27th.
Gunnar shot this beautiful portrait that very day.
Showing my father's most inner personality.
Awake, conscious, intelligent, loving, but shy.
June first same year my father went home to stay with his parents and siblings.
I miss him so.

This was one of the poems he often would read loud to me.
Most of his favorite poems he knew by heart.

When I am Dead, My Dearest

by Christina Georgina Rossetti
(1830-1894)


When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget
.

13 comments:

Dianne said...

that is a beautiful portrait of your Father

Mojo said...

A beautiful portrait and a beautiful tribute. In India they'd say janmadin ki badhai, Arne chacha (Happy Birthday Arne uncle. Like most things, it sounds so much cooler in Hindi.)

Trish said...

Felisol~we never stop missing them.
But I think they are such a part of us, that they are never really gone...they are just a thought away.
What a lovely tribute to your Dad.

Mrs. Mac said...

Very moving. Thank you for giving a glimpse of your earthly father. Happy Birthday Mr. Ljung.

John Cowart said...

A beautiful tribute and a great portrait.

Amrita said...

Your Daddy is so fondly remembered by you Felisol. Having godly and nurturing parents is indeed a blessing of God. Gunnar and you are passing on the same love and care to Serina.

This photo somehow reminds me of the famous portrait of our first Prime Minister Pandit Nehru. Its in the same style.

I mught as well add here that we are harvesting our potatoes. Should have let them grow larger but some rodents are getting them so we are taking them out.

Constance said...

Oh My Goodness! I remember as a kid, reading that poem in the doctor's office while waiting for the doctor. I loved poetry even then and thought it was so beautiful that I memorized that first stanza! I haven't thought about that poem in years but as soon as I read the first line, I remembered the rest!
Connie

Saija said...

a wonderful picture and a very touching poem ... they speak volumes of the man - yet in a soft soft way ...

one never gets over the loss of a parent ... my own dad has been gone since 2001 ... yet never forgotten ...

((hugs)

Terry said...

Dearest Felisol
It seems just like yesterday that your dear Dad slipped away from this world and entered heaven.
Even though you know that where he is,he is happy, it is still sometimes lonesome for you and Mom Ljung, Gunnar and Serina. I think it must be one of the hardest things in life to say good by to a Dad.
Felisol, as long as Dad Golden lives, you, his "Norway" will be very special to him.
I just don't know what else to say except that, even though I knew your father for just a few short months during his life, he and his whole family have become so dear to me.
What a day that will be when we all meet in heaven and I am sure that Dad Golden will be there too!
My prayers are with you my bestest friend.....Love Terry

I will be back in a few minutes Felisol..

Vicki said...

Such a lovely tribute to your father, dear Felisol. May all your memories of his love for you bring sweet comfort, my friend.

blessings & love,
Vicki

Annie Jeffries said...

So heart-felt and tender. This beautiful portrait conveys the strongest of messages - that he would have been a fine person to know.

Eaton Bennett aka Berenice Albrecht said...

A beloved parent lives on not in the physical things they leave behind, but in the memories that live in our hearts. I kept my dad's glasses for years and one day I looked at them and thought, he is not in those glasses, he is in my thoughts and the memories we made together. That was a precious moment for me. :)

Leora said...

I will have to remember that poem. So well said.

Beautiful portrait of your father.