‎63 Years of Memories....

‎63 Years of Memories....
that's what I have now. The photo below shows the chair on the point which for so many years was my father's favorite after-supper place to contemplate and cast for walleye. As much as I feel guilty about what's happened, I know he would understand and even say there's nothing to forgive. He lived life fully and moved on many times. I'm the one with the unique experience of being attached to a beautiful place for my whole life. And despite all my best efforts, yesterday the 'cabin' was sold. I signed the papers and, truth be told, a weight was lifted. A new life lies ahead without the obligations, but with all of the wonderful memories. My unrelentingly positive attitude says this is truly how it is, but my heart is still sad.

There are some things in life for which the balance between the obligation and the joy of ownership often cannot be sustained forever. It became clear that I was no longer up to the task of taking care of the place quite a while back. However, knowing what needs to be done and doing it are often far apart. Finally, no choice was left. It had to be sold.

Now it's gone. No more worrying about how long the grass or how deep the snow is up there. No more sublimely pleasurable early morning cups of coffee sitting on the dock when the color of the lake is like pale blue glass and the air is completely still. No more endless repairs, high taxes, and utility bills. No more late nights around the fire pit with friends and family - warm from both fire and friendship. No more frozen pipes or emergency calls to the furnace guys. No more saunas and midnight skinny dipping that make you feel like you'll live forever while your connection with nature is confirmed by the gazillion stars of the milky way and the loons calling out in the dark. No more concerns with low well water levels or water so hard and full of iron the clothes turn yellow and your newly washed hair feels like brillo. No more finding the way home by boat in the dark after a long day on the lake feeling like this is the only place you really, really belong. No more praying that the boathouse will make it another year without collapsing. And ultimately, no more making new memories with friends, family and loved ones. No new memories, that is, at Half Bay, Lake Vermilion, Tower, MN. New life... here we come!

How do you thank a place for memories?

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Back in Afghanistan



I had alot of fun during the last two weeks in America. Unfortunately the time was too short. Rachel and I both want to express our appreciation for the things that you all do for us. I feel really positive about returning to Minnesota after I leave the army.

Also a heads up: I will be going to another FOB(of sorts) starting on the fifth of Nov for two weeks. After that I will be back in Kandahar for a week or two and I will go back for another rotation of two weeks. This time I am not going to Qalat but to another airfield. It is much smaller than this one but at least it has buildings and food etc. Who knows, they may even have an internet connection out there.

Things have turned ugly here in my absence. Sgt Kolodgy is on a rampage about stupid stuff again. I think that the slow pace recently has caused the "leadership" to get bored and now they are taking that out on us. Who knows, maybe it is good that I am being sent to a FOB.

Anyway that is all I have for now.

Lots of love
-Bert
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2 comments:

Lottie Dah said...

So glad you made it back to work okay and in record time! Only 6 days en route! We really, really enjoyed seeing you and Rachel, too! Thanks for making the trip. It meant a lot to all of us. The time should fly now until February when you'll be back home again - hopefully for good. Hugs, Mom

8:05 PM
thedad said...

This looks like me when I've run too far.

12:36 PM

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