I'm here but it was a close call

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:01 am

When the fire destroyed our town, my great-grandfather decided not to stay and rebuild their home. He moved to an island not very far away and set up house there, a small farm and a fishing boat.

He lived to be nearly 94, and I remember him well. He had white hair and a yellow-streaked, big mustache. His eyesight was failing so I used to crawl about on the newspaper and read him the headlines. The paper was a big one, and I was small.

My maternal grandmother grew up not very far from Lofoten, and she was sent to this island to help mind an old relative. She met my grandfather there.

My father's mother went with her family to America as a child. They expected to settle there, but her uncle died, and her father brought the entire family back to take over the family farm. A good thing, because she met and married my paternal grandfather.

Since my father grew up very far inland, and my mother grew up on an island, the chances that they should meet were slim. But, thanks to the Military who works in mysterious ways, my father ended up in the Navy and stayed in for years.

I often think of all the coincidences that actually brought me to this world. How very glad I am that things turned out the way they did!

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Biita wrote on Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:01 am:

Now that is an intresting love story, isn't amazing in such a big world, how 2 people can meet an you know it was meant to be because of the odds against them in the first place. Well I for one am glad that they met, an you are the result of them meeting one generation removed ofcourse, an that we all have a fun an intresting person to talk to on here. Thank goodness for chances, huh.

eileen wrote on Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:24 am:

It must have been fate Droopy. Just think, if things had turned out differently then you wouldn't be here and we'd never have had the pleasure of your company here at GardenStew.

Frank wrote on Thu Nov 15, 2007 12:46 pm:

The odds are as close to impossible as you can get that we are where we are (wow that was a weird sentence, English teachers ripping out their hair everywhere). I like to think about that if I ever feel I am taking life for granted.

toni wrote on Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:03 pm:

The mind boggles when you consider that one minute change anywhere along the line of your ancestors individual lives could have resulted in a totally different outcome in this time period.

I also am very glad your ancestors all paired up in the proper order and we have you on the Stew today.

Droopy wrote on Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:22 pm:

Thank you all! I value your company too. Frank, I like complicated sentences that makes sense after some thought. :D

Netty wrote on Fri Nov 16, 2007 1:12 am:

I've often looked back at my own life and thought about how the choices I made got me to where I am today. I don't think I would have changed a thing!

CritterPainter wrote on Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:58 am:

Mmm, what a romantic place! DH and I met on an island too (I was working for a park Ranger, he was camping). Beautiful, dreamy island there...

SongofJoy57 wrote on Sat Nov 17, 2007 12:41 pm:

Dearest Droopy,
I, too, am glad you are here. I loved your story. I can just envision you as a small girl reading to your grandfather. I bet you had a close relationship with him just like Shirley Temple in "Heidi" . . . one of my favorite movies as a child (and now too!) Thanks for sharing with us.