This is the saga of two male Norwegians that entered this world at about the same time. One was born in July, the other in January, both at the hospital in Waseca, MN. Their parents were farmers in Waseca County. Both were the first-born children of their parents. Two of their grandparents were siblings.
They were both baptized at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, rural Ellendale, MN, by the same pastor. Later, they were in the same class and confirmed at the same time at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church. They attended different country schools, graduating from eighth grade and on to high school at New Richland, MN, both graduating in 1954.
They enjoyed many things together prior to graduating from high school. One was hitting the side of a boat occupied by a known person as they pulled up anchor to leave after catching their limit of crappies at St. Olaf Lake. Under the circumstances, the vocal conversation was one person talking and two people listening. Another was putting their uncased, loaded shotguns in the back of the pickup truck as they drove down a country road. A car passed them at a high rate of speed—moments later, another car with a uniformed game warden pulled alongside, rolled down the window and asked, “Which way did that black speeding car go?”
Both said, “Around the corner.” The game warden followed their directions.
After high school, one of the two Norwegians decided to become a farmer. The other agreed to help protect his country in exchange for the GI bill to help pay for four years of college education.
With the other in the military, the farmer married the love of his life. After the military and getting his college degree, the second man and the love of his life agreed on a wedding date at her church, with the farmer as the best man. The wedding was held and the Lutheran church pastor had the wedding document signed by the groom and the best man. Somehow, probably because their first name was the same and their last names ended in “son,” the pastor had them sign in the wrong place—thus the groom was his own best man and the best man was the groom. With white-out, the marriage document was signed correctly.
Time went by, with each one the father of a first-born daughter and second-born son. The two Norwegians decided on a pact with the survivor drinking a can of Hamm’s beer the day of the other’s funeral as a testimony to their heritage of “from the land of sky blue waters.” Hamm’s left Minnesota, so they decided any Norwegian beverage would be O.K.
On Monday, April 8, 2019, after reading the banner, “I have called you by name, Swan, you are mine,” I fulfilled our pact with a cup of coffee at the luncheon in the social hall at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church.
Swan, many, many thanks for the memories.
P.S. What is the definition of a former atheist? Answer: an atheist who attended the celebration of life for Yvette Ann Williams.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.