It is hard leave such a beautiful country. Already, two weeks have passed, and I am moving on again! As a final wrap, here are some lessons I will take with me.
Lesson 1: Don’t leave ANYTHING important in checked luggage.
Also, don’t try to cold-turkey an SSRI. It feels like crap. But also… if an airline loses your luggage, you can maybe go on a shopping spree (I should have bought way more!)
Lesson 2: Adventuring outside gives me energy. Adventures outside with others gives me energy and a sense of belonging.
I loved all the outdoor adventures in Norway, but the best moments were adventuring with others. On my last day, Terje brought me along with him on a work trip to go ice-skating.
Besides co-owning Vikinghaug, he works as an outdoor educator for kids who struggle in the traditional classroom. Several days a week, he takes a few individuals out of school to do outside activities. It was so inspiring and reminded me about how different people learn and thrive in different environments.
One individual had been difficult to get to come to sessions and didn’t enjoy working with others. This same individual, (who refused to even come at first), not only put on ice-skates and skated, but he participated in a hockey game as my teammate, passing me the ball, us TRYING to beat Terje.
[Side Note: Terje is a wicked good skater. My hockey classes from Kindergarten did not quite compete.] Even more funny, we broke the plastic hockey ball and proceeded to use a clementine and then a cinnamon bun as hockey pucks.
The trip and Terje’s testimony on the way home reminded me of my values and goals for the future. When in Colorado, I was on email lists for the Lockwood Foundation and Paradox sports. Both of these were groups that made nature, hiking, climbing ,etc accessible to individuals with all types of physical and intellectual disabilities. Work often prevented me from participating, but even when I had days off, I found myself too busy to go. I really want to prioritize getting re-involved in these groups when I get back to CO.
Lesson 3: Most people are kind and generous. I want to be like them.
I made a couple different friends in Norway who gave me gifts, fun adventures, etc. Here are a few acts of generosity.
Gravdal family: They welcomed me into their home and family, let me use their musical instruments, took me on adventures, and taught me about Norwegian culture. They even sent me off with Brunost and Oreos! Also, the kiddo gave me lots of hugs, shared his treasures, and showed me the excitement of youth. At the same time, kids are a lot of work. It gave me some perspective and increased gratitude for my parents. They sacrificed a lot to raise me and my siblings.
Siw: A lovely woman who came to pottery at Tove’s studio. She used to be a hairdresser, and when I mentioned my hair was getting too long, she offered to give me a trim! She saved me from my own doom should I have cut it myself. We also had a good laugh when Birdy joined our haircut.
glogg w/o alcohol) and pottery making!
Katrina: A new friend who loves to knit and gave me the most beautiful knit headband with a traditional Norwegian pattern. Also, one day I was walking back from the city center. She saw me and offered me a ride back to Vikinghaug.
(I will post a photo of the cap when I unpack my suitcase!)
I am genuinely amazed by how nice and generous people are to me. Theres no catches. People are just kind. I mentioned in a previous blog that I have been battling a very poor-mans/transactional mindset. Every generous encounter inspires me to want to be generous with others.
Creating Space 
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