As I had time at hand I decided to take the road less travelled to my destination. Remote roads, the first part of the drive I used to know well as a girl, the last part quite unknown to me.
The childhood roads stirred up a lot of memories. Alone in the car I sat smiling, dreaming myself 40+ years back in time.
Then the more unknown area came, where grandma Olga spent her childhood.
I had filled a basket with coffee and patries and when I saw the water fall I knew it was time to stop. Singing birds, bells from the sheep, the oratorio of the falling water. A perfect place for coffee. A perfect place for prayers for my friend who has cancer, a perfect place to reflect.
Around the years 1600-1700 the water falls and the surrounding area were used as a place to make iron. I wonder if grandma Olga ever walked here, thinking about the workers and their life. For many years I used to live in the same house as grandma Olga. Suddenly I missed her. There were so many things I wanted to ask her about. She was born in 1893 and died 96 years later.
While I still was on the road well known from my childhood, I stopped to visit aunt Solbjørg, the oldest sister of my mother. She showed me a colourful quilt I had crocheted for grandma Olga which she now used. It was wrapped over a comfort chair in her livingroom. Grandma was with my in many ways during the day.
Refreshed, from coffee and pastries, from fresh air and memories I continued. But not very far. Along the road there was a sign, Mariakirken, St.Mary church. Deep into the countryside of Lutheran Norway. What could this be?
A small chapel. Built along the pilgrim way to Trondheim. Unknown to me, but as I am spending today with the dean of the area I will ask what he knows of it.
Less than one hour away from home, I had no idea this place excisted.
Life is full of surprises around every corner. Why do we always walk straight ahead?
