Treasured pieces from home: A visit on Danish soil April 2, 2024
Here I sit, absolutely thrilled and waiting for Peter and Susanne to arrive. We've already been in touch a couple of times today, and they got a bit of a late start this morning at 6:00 AM. So it will still take a few hours before they're here. The anticipation makes my heart race, and I can barely sit still.
I've prepared everything for their arrival: there will be fish and potato salad, and as a grand finale, a wonderfully delicious dessert, genuinely Danish—a lemon fromage. It's quite typical here, and we had it as well ten days ago when we were invited to Gitte and Carsten's, also as dessert. I hope the two of them will enjoy this little taste of Danish culture.
The dinner at Gitte and Carsten's was, by the way, wonderful. It was so much fun being there. We were welcomed so warmly and treated so lovingly. It was truly a special evening. I felt very accepted and welcomed. So they're our first Danish friends, and I'm so grateful for this connection.
Yet I do miss my old life in Germany. Of course. This longing remains, even as new connections slowly form. It was so lovely to talk and eat with Gitte and Carsten and simply learn a bit more about the country, the people, and the culture. These personal insights help me feel more at home here.
Then there was Easter, and on Easter Sunday—the day before yesterday—we were at the church in Strandby. That was wonderful and moving too. Carsten sings in the choir there, and he has such an excellent voice that fills the entire space. It was a beautiful and uplifting moment that touched me deeply.
And of course, it's wonderful when you walk into church and someone you know waves at you. You feel like you belong a little bit, not quite so foreign in your new surroundings anymore. Such small gestures mean so much when you're new to a country.
But now I'm surrendering completely to the feeling that Peter and Susanne will be here soon and will help ease my longing for home and homeland just a little bit. They're bringing a piece of Germany with them, a piece of familiarity, a piece of my old life. This bridge between the two worlds is so precious to me during this time of transition and arrival.
The table is set, the lemon fromage is cooling in the refrigerator, and my heart is full of anticipation. Just a few more hours, and then I can finally welcome old friends to my new home.
