DEDICATING THIS YEAR TO THE MEMORY OF MY GRANDFATHER STANLEY H. CROW &
THE ENDURING SPIRIT OF MY GRANDFATHER
FREDERICK O. LANPHEAR

To Be of Use

The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half submerged balls.
I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.
I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who stand in the line and haul in their places,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.
The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.
~ Marge Piercy ~


Monday, November 1, 2010

The joy continues



So, where to start? Let me begin with saying how appreciative I am of my wonderful Norwegian family and friends. I honestly feel more at home then I ever thought possible. I feel that I have really grasped ahold of some amazing friends, and become very close with my Norwegian family. I can't tell you enough how incredible people here are, they have welcomed me into their groups, invited me to social events and some even say they love me ;) I feel that I have already made lifetime friends that I plan on visiting and hopefully having them visit me. I have only been here a little over 2 months and I feel that I have been here forever. I don't think that this would be possible if it wasn't for the warmth that the people around me give. So you Norwegians reading this now TUSEN TAKK! Dere er alle fantastisk og jeg elsker dere! <3 Dats wazzzzup! ;)

I have to admit I was a little under the weather a couple weeks ago, due to the loss of Grampa Fred and not being able to be present at his memorial. I had a hard weekend, but I had a lot of support from my family back home, and my family and friends here. I just can't believe how much support I have around me, it really is an incredible thing. And I am so grateful for it. I miss Gramps, but I can feel his presence with me all the time, which is very comforting. It is November officially. November of last year I lost my other Grandfather, Stan Crow. That was an incredibly sad time, for it was very unexpected and sudden. Although it was a hard time for everyone that was close to him, it really brought everyone together and we were able to share our grief and tears amongst each other. On the 14th of November I will be spreading his ashes hopefully somewhere high and beautiful. It will be in the mountains at the peak of the cliff overlooking a beautiful sight. He had a passion for the mountains and nature, and I am very ready to set a part of him free in the beautiful nature that I am surrounded by.

I enjoy writing these posts, they allow me to express and share my journey as I am on it. I hope you all can get a picture of what I am going through, because I would wish for everyone to be able to get to have an adventure like this. It is definitely the most amazing thing I have ever taken on, and I will continue to enjoy my time here as much as possible. I will try and keep up to date on the blog entries, but my life here does a very good job of distracting me from writing blogs and so on.

I hope all is well with everyone. I love reading your comments so please tell me how you are and what you have been up to. Much love to everyone!


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4 comments:

  1. Nina RhysNovember 1, 2010 at 3:36 PM

    Beautiful post Noah. The tears are flowing! I love what you are planning for the 14th. Maybe take a photo of the place that you scattered the ashes so that those of us back home can see.

    I love you sweet boy and I am so very proud of you.

    Momma

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  2. KarynNovember 1, 2010 at 5:47 PM

    Yeah, you have snow!! That is great photo of your school, I am assuming. Beautiful.
    I am not surprised that people are drawn to you there. You have a light that shines so bright...
    I love reading your posts. Write when you can and know that we love you bunches!!

    Proud of you always!!
    Auntie

    ReplyDelete
  3. barba93November 2, 2010 at 1:52 PM

    I've never met you in person but your smile and your joy of life is visible in each picture.
    Continue your life with this smile and also will give joy to those around you .)

    Roberta

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownNovember 26, 2010 at 11:11 AM

    I finally found out how to look at your blog, I knew it would be beautiful and thoughtful. Saw your family at thanksgiving and now I'm in the loop.
    I'm thrilled to hear of your adventures, and am not surprised that your writing is as poetic and intelligent as you are.
    Your post on Grandpa Fred was wonderful.
    I do have a question. In the one post, you said you "had to learn to eat with a knife and fork." I was wondering what in the world? What have you used all your life, chopsticks? Your sword?
    Glad to be able to watch your journey.
    Kevin and Cory kevinbsinger@gmail.com and
    smartcorwin@gmail.com

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