With the moving in of the EFS administration to the formerly Johannelund-only campus, there has been much change, including a major renovation of the facility. Much is settled, but quite a bit still is not settled. For example, there have been 2 empty tall file cabinets in the hallway outside my office for several months. It seems that someone moved them there and doesn’t feel he/she is the one to find a home for them now. Perhaps they will be thrown out if no one claims them. According to my American born colleague, the Swedes tend to throw things out. This week, he actually rescued a nice bookshelf from the dumpster this week. It has solid oak on top, sides, and shelves. It is now in my office. However, the bookshelf caused a little emotional reflection.
It seems that I am a pilgrim now. (Sigh.) I had a sense of call from God to be here. However, it meant giving up living in my cozy home with my recently remodeled kitchen with custom cabinets and new stainless steel appliances, including a wonderful induction stove. I loved my neighborhood, especially because of my community of friends. I was driving the only car I bought new, which was still only 4 years old. My move to Sweden meant that I was giving away books, furniture, a living room rug, and more–so many things–that prompted thousands of little losses in the days of preparing to leave for Sweden. (And I am so grateful for those friends who so generously helped me!)
As I was with my Dad in January, he is now in the process of downsizing and the thousand little losses each of those cleaning days. He will be moving in with my sister in Michigan, hopefully this summer. Some of the heirloom things and furnishings connect me with my family story and especially my mom.
The beautiful rosewood furniture from Hong Kong will need a home, BUT I am now a pilgrim. It seems that pilgrims can’t have nice things. I live now in student housing with hand-me-down furniture. The only furnishing I bought is a ping-pong table. Eventually, I will be moving out of the student apartments after Anya goes off to university. The destination is unknown. So, I don’t want to be collecting a lot of furnishings and things that I can’t move by myself. And then what? I’m trying to learn to walk by faith and not by sight.
On to finish the documentation for the Norwegian Research Council. I have to report that all my field research recordings are deleted and any other residual information is anonymized. I’ve been working on it this afternoon.
With blessings,
Beth