I may or may not be suffering from jet lag as I attempt to compose this post.
(Actually, there is no doubt whatsoever after a 10 hour transatlantic flight yesterday).
I mentioned a few weeks ago that my family—including Mrs. Sweetie, my mom, our daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters—would be taking a cruise to Norway together (along with 79 other friends included in the North Texas Singers).
We got home last night from an amazing adventure that will be cherished lifetime memories.
Our group had the incredible privilege of presenting two hour-long concerts on board Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas to an international audience of vacationers.
We also had the unique privilege of presenting a mini-concert at Stavanger, Norway as part of the full-day Norwegian Constitution Day celebration that included parades, food, costumes, music, dancing, and all the other things that accompanied their May 17 celebration that is the counterpart of what we Americans celebrate on July 4.
How amazing is that?
It’s worth thinking about that the day Norwegians celebrate their country was kicked off by multiple groups of international performers. Everyone was welcome to participate. They even had two Sign Language interpreters who had memorized our program ahead of time.
Talk about welcoming!
If you follow me on social media, you’ll get to see lots of photos over the next few days. (If you don’t follow me on social media, consider this your invitation to connect).
I have lots of photos and stories to share, but here’s my reflection for this week’s post: None of us just showed up here at this time and place. We all have a history. We’re all part of an ongoing story.
Our family has a couple of connections to Norway and those connections resulted in 7 of us making the trip (instead of just Mrs. Sweetie and me).
My mom’s favorite uncle was from Norway. He died when she was a child (about 80 years ago), but she remembered him and his stories.
My son-in-law’s great-grandmother immigrated from Norway to the United States in 1917 at the age of 10, so part of this trip was to allow him and his wife (my daughter) and his children (my granddaughters) to connect to part of his heritage.
My favorite photos from this trip will always be the ones of our family together—especially with my mom and my granddaughters.
But the photo that inspired today’s thoughts is one of those two little girls standing in front of Johanneskirken (Saint John’s Church) in Bergen, Norway. At this church, in 1907, their great-great-grandmother was christened.
Though they may never visit Norway again, they would not be alive today in Canyon, Texas apart from the life of an infant girl in that church 115 years ago.
I wonder what their descendants in the year 2137 will be doing. I wonder where they will be living. I wonder how the lives of my granddaughters and the choices they make will open doors of opportunity for their great-great-grandchildren.
We are all part of an ongoing story and the choices we make today will influence how the story is written.
How amazing is that?
Be amazing today, my friend.
