Friendship
English tea and Norwegian chocolate, nothing goes better
It’s funny how people float in and out of our lives and while some stick others don’t.
After leaving America and moving to a small town in Norway twenty-four years ago, I met a family from England. I couldn’t speak Norwegian and there weren’t many expats or foreigners living in this area at the time. I felt lost, misplaced and longed for my family and friends back home. I was offered a job at a local school and that’s where I met this family. I’m not sure how I would have gotten through those first couple of years in Norway without them. Connected by the English language (their’s proper, mine not) we bonded and became fast friends and then suddenly they were gone.
I was heartbroken and didn’t know how I’d manage without them…
We kept in touch with an occasional phone call, Christmas cards and a handful of visits over the last twenty-four years. Our daughters have also challenged the years and miles, by remaining close. This past weekend, me, my daughter and granddaughter journeyed from Norway to England to visit them. It’s been at least ten years since we’ve seen each other last, but it felt as if we’d never been separated at all. We caught up on the present, reminisced over the past and made a promise to visit again soon.
As our granddaughters met and played for the very first time, I couldn’t help but marvel over the power of friendship.
A third generation of friendship
Posted on February 18, 2013, in Family stuff, travel and tagged chocolate, England, friendship, Norway, tea, travel. Bookmark the permalink. 16 Comments.
I like the idea of a third generation of friendship, spanning countries as well as generations.
Once a friend…..Always a friend <3
So very true!
sweet! happy to see you enjoyed your trip!
So sweet ♥
I love a good friendship story! I feel sad for people who have never experienced one.
This was a real feelgood story to go with my afternoon tea – thank you Maggie!
I wish I could send you a piece of Norwegian chocolate to go with that tea
the oldest friends are best!!
This is lovely, Maggie! It’s so hard when you move to a place where you don’t people and making friends like this lasts a lifetime. What a beautiful story
Maggie, what a beautiful story and I love how some people are just with us for life, no matter where life takes us!
How nice for three generations of your families!
Wonderful story of friendship, Maggie. So glad you had a nice trip, and the granddaughters are adorable.
In the end, we will remember the friendships, the connections that forged our lives with hope and courage. A wonderful post – came back twice to read it.
Sweet!
How wonderful! Friendship is a funny thing. Sometimes you can predict the people who will remain in your life and will be surprised by those who slip out… Hope you had a wonderful time!