Good morning…
I received a special package this week from our former exchange student from Norway. Margit lived with my biological family for a year when she was a junior in high school, my sister was in ninth grade, I was in seven grade, and my brother was in fifth grade. Margit became a soul sister and a beloved daughter to us in the most magical way. Since 1975, we as a family have visited her for a month in Norway. She has returned to the states several times to see us wherever we have been living. She has brought her own family to vacation with us at the beach a few times. And, now we stay connected daily through my blog posts, texting back and forth regularly. So it was a sweet surprise to get a package from Norway on our doorstep this week.
I opened it up and admired the soft, handmade baby blanket, reading these touching words on the card:
“Welcome baby Allen. I hope this blanket will keep you warm while you rest and sleep. Every stitch represents the love your family has granted me for half a decade. Hugs and kisses from your Norwegian great-aunt Margit.”
What a beautifully bonding gift.
Though we write regularly, the last time I saw Margit was during Valentine’s Day week in 2025. She came for a visit with one of her sons and our family gathered to celebrate together. We had no idea we would end up in the hospital with my mom in ICU overcome by RSV. We truly did not know if our mom would return to us on earth.
After three days of being unresponsive in the ICU, my mother miraculously woke up with a smile on her face. It was the final day of Margit’s visit, and our joy was immense. The eternal bonding was terribly beautiful. Margit is right, our family has exchanged deep love with her for half of a decade.
What a wholehearted “Welcome baby Allen” will gently wrap up our first grandbaby, when he finally arrives sometime this week. In God’s time and God’s way, at the exact right moment this new life will be born into a robust extended family of love.
God has given our family the gift of Margit, and we, in turn, have shared with her the abundant love of God. He remembered to love us…indefatigable love. The whole earth comes to attention. Look—God’s work of salvation! (Psalm 98:3, MSG).
…Sue…
