A Modern Day Viking

Today I said…. until we meet again.... to my grandfather.  He peacefully slipped from this world earlier this morning.  My grandfather was 93 and through his granddaughter’s eyes he lived a life of amazing adventures and was surrounded by immense love and support from family and friends.

My grandfather "Bapa" and my mom

  My grandfather, or Bapa, as I called him.  He got that nickname because I could not say bedstefar, which is grandfather in Danish when I was a little girl. Somehow it stuck and my brother called him that to.  My memories of my grandfather remind me of a modern day Viking.  He brought his family to a new world.  I always thought how brave my grandparents were, leaving all family and friends to live in a foreign land with the dreams and aspirations of making a better life.  My Danish heritage was always celebrated as well as the holidays of the US.  I cherish those family get togethers as they were always filled with laughter, jokes and sharing of family stories. 

I’ve spent the past few hours looking for particular picture of me with my grandparents in our traditional Danish costumes.  I believe that picture is probably at my parents house, at least I hope so.  I'll do my best to describe my costume.  It was a replica of my grandmother’s, only of course smaller.  Handmade for me when I was about 11. A dark burgundy long sleeve wool dress, white lace collar with a blackish green matte satin apron and one of those fancy ruffled lace hats that has the hand embroidered flowers on the back.  I love that costume.  I wore that costume to Danish celebrations.  Some of the memories I am recalling now are Danish Christmas parties in West Seattle.  There were plays of Nisse** stories (Danish elves) put on by the kids.  Traditional folk dancing around the Christmas tree, of course plenty to eat and an opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap.

My grandfather was always making something in his wood shop.  I got a doll house one year for Christmas.  I played with that house for years.  He made bird houses, bird decorations, Nisse cut outs for Christmas,  miniature carts for horses to pull, airplanes…I am sure I am forgetting some, it will come to me later.   He made me my chicken coop that I still use to this day.  I got it as a house warming gift a short while after we moved down to Oregon. 

My brother and I had a trip of a lifetime in 1998.  Our Bapa took us to Denmark to introduce us to the rest of our family and show us the sights.  We also on that trip took back my grandmother's ashes.  It was an incredible trip and one I will never forget.  I swear we saw the entire country!  Driving in a country where you can't quite read the language was quite the experience also.  We met our great aunt, cousins and saw where the family farm is.  I am happy to say it is still in the family to this day.  I had been told so many stories about this farm and where my mom spent part of her childhood growing up.  I know now, that has to be where my love of animals came from.  We went to so many castles, historic sites and landmarks that I am in awe now of much we did and saw.  That reminds me, I took my video camera with me and recorded Bapa telling us stories of how he and my grandmother met and many other moments.  I better find that and get it onto a DVD before the tape degrades.  This little viking reminds me of my grandfather, not because he had a beard nor that he was red haired, but for the reason he was a character and could make me laugh.  I got this at Himmelbjeret the tallest point in Denmark.  It's something like a whopping 500 ft tall. 

 

He had a nickname for me when I might be doing something I shouldn’t. Not quite sure how to spell it, I’ll inquire about that later with my mom.  Probably a Danish word of endearment, like little stinker or something. 

I remember walking into my grandparents home and feeling immense love, belonging and joy.  They were always excited to see me.  I felt love and that I was loved beyond measure.  I hope to emulate that in our home to all that visit. 

Well I’m a bit out of thoughts, my tears seem to have an endless supply again and I think one of my dogs needs to go out.  So, with that…. I am going to take a walk and remember all the precious moments I had with my Bapa.

 

**A little about Nisse…..The elves can be mischievous and play pranks on people. Nisse often live in old farmhouses, attics or barns and wear gray woolen clothes, red bonnet and stockings and white clogs. As a good elf, Nisse generally help people on the farms and is good with children but plays jokes during the holiday season. On Christmas Eve in Denmark, many families leave a bowl of rice pudding or porridge for him so that he is friendly to them and keeps the jokes within limits.