Journal entry by Joanne Negstad — Oct 18, 2018
When Joanne and I were here three years ago and we said goodbye to Maren, who was then in her nineties, Maren said "If you don't meet again in this life we will in the next." As we drove away, Joanne and I said to each other, "With Maren's age we wonder if we will see her again." Now Maren is 94, and Joanne died 6, months ago. Leaving Maren today was very emotional, the saddest I have felt on this trip...the powerful presence of absence.
Maren had quite a career. After graduating from Concordia College, she got her MSW Degree at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She then founded the Master Of Social Work degree program at the University of Stavanger. After 7, years on that faculty she moved to the University of Trondheim, where she also founded the Master Of Social Work degree program. She taught there until her retirement, when she moved to Arendal, near her home. She's still providing community leadership, agitating the local politicians to turn the vacant Seaman's School into a senior citizen center.
Maren is the matriarch of a large family. These days I've been guest in the home of Borghild and Knut Ellingsen. Borghild is Maren's niece. Three years ago they built a house on the SE corner of the Island of Hisoy, which is connected to Arendal by a bridge. From their windows the view is of some uninhabited islands beyond which is open sea until Denmark. With the sun shining brightly today, the view was spectacular. Borghild teaches Norwegian as a second language to immigrant children in a public school. Knut, is the third generation owner of a store which sells household fabrics; blankets, bedding, towels, etc., and also window treatments. The rise of large superstores and online shopping has significantly restricted his business.
Each day ends with coffee around the coffee table. We've been eating dinner in town each night because there is a special deal with cooperating restaurants; 100 Kroner meal, per person (8.2 Kroner to 1$). Tonight their son, Oystin, and daughter-in-law, Mathilde, joined us for dinner. When Oystin and I visited Maren she was remembering when Knut, Borghild and their 2, youngest children visited us in Golden Valley. Oystin, then age 3, enjoyed playing with our dog, Bjorn. Tonight as we were having our evening coffee Knut brought out the travel book and found the picture of them with us in our house. Oystin is in my lap and Bjorn sits next to us. Oystin is now 6'6" tall.
Tomorrow I will take the train to Fredrickstad, my final stop.
Blessings,
A note about Borghild; every week since she was 16, she has gone swimming in the fjord. She even does it when she has to break ice to get to the water!
1. With the family after dinner.
2. With the swimmer.
Maren had quite a career. After graduating from Concordia College, she got her MSW Degree at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She then founded the Master Of Social Work degree program at the University of Stavanger. After 7, years on that faculty she moved to the University of Trondheim, where she also founded the Master Of Social Work degree program. She taught there until her retirement, when she moved to Arendal, near her home. She's still providing community leadership, agitating the local politicians to turn the vacant Seaman's School into a senior citizen center.
Maren is the matriarch of a large family. These days I've been guest in the home of Borghild and Knut Ellingsen. Borghild is Maren's niece. Three years ago they built a house on the SE corner of the Island of Hisoy, which is connected to Arendal by a bridge. From their windows the view is of some uninhabited islands beyond which is open sea until Denmark. With the sun shining brightly today, the view was spectacular. Borghild teaches Norwegian as a second language to immigrant children in a public school. Knut, is the third generation owner of a store which sells household fabrics; blankets, bedding, towels, etc., and also window treatments. The rise of large superstores and online shopping has significantly restricted his business.
Each day ends with coffee around the coffee table. We've been eating dinner in town each night because there is a special deal with cooperating restaurants; 100 Kroner meal, per person (8.2 Kroner to 1$). Tonight their son, Oystin, and daughter-in-law, Mathilde, joined us for dinner. When Oystin and I visited Maren she was remembering when Knut, Borghild and their 2, youngest children visited us in Golden Valley. Oystin, then age 3, enjoyed playing with our dog, Bjorn. Tonight as we were having our evening coffee Knut brought out the travel book and found the picture of them with us in our house. Oystin is in my lap and Bjorn sits next to us. Oystin is now 6'6" tall.
Tomorrow I will take the train to Fredrickstad, my final stop.
Blessings,
A note about Borghild; every week since she was 16, she has gone swimming in the fjord. She even does it when she has to break ice to get to the water!
1. With the family after dinner.
2. With the swimmer.
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