Ruben's Birthday

January 29 - 1968 - Ruben's Birthday
How it was back in 1968.
Photos at the end of the post.
I will never forget, we struggeled to get a Taxi to the Hospital. In the early morning on January 29 in 1968
Solvi was 2 weeks after "the scheduled time" for Birth. Her first.
We had no phone at home. Due to that times socialist "planning economy".
So I had to walk for 5 minutes to find a Phone Kiosk. And said: My Wife - The water has gone.
- - Call a Taxi, was the simple answer.
We got a Taxi and arrived the Womens Clinic early in the Morning.
Very well wellcomed. Indeed.
I was told to sit down in the "Waiting Room" while Solvi was brought into the, at that time: "Forbidden Zone for Papas". January 1968

10 minutes later I was given a package, Gray paper: Solvi's Clothes.
- - And with the following message: You have to leave now, but you can Call us
- - What, am I to call you? We do not have a Phone
- - Sorry, this is the Rules
Papa had to leave. My feelings - gosh - what do you think: Empty. Totally empty.

I did call. Several Times. No result. Nothing new.
At last, after several hours.
You have a Son.
- - When can I come and see him?
- - In 5 hours
- - 5 hours, why not at once?
- - That's the Rules.

What could I say? Hospitals in Norway are state owned.
I did see my first Son, Ruben, through a Window.
Touch him, 3 Days later.

My first Son.
Born January 29, 1968.

Here is some photos from his life. We had so much fun together. Allways.
He is missed by all of us. (Photos from the memorial - on Facebook)

It's up to you to read the text above and spend some seconds to look at the Pictures.
You will learn me to know by doing

Here you see the Lucky Family in the beginning of the 1970'ies. Reading books for Ruben and Niklas in the Evenings was a Daily part of our life. Here you see from left Papa, Niklas, Solvi and Ruben.

Can it be true? A Sister? Here with Grandmothers to the left, brother Niklas, Ingelin on Rubens knees and Grandfather (My Father)

Playing Brothers - Here in Austria 1975

Here you see all my 4 kids - back in the mid 1980'ies (Niklas, Ingelin, Ruben, Mats)

Ruben as young teenager

Ruben, Mats, Ingelin, Papa
Ruben, Mats, Ingelin and Papa - 1994 in Puerto Montt. Chile. Ruben was the only one of us that could speak Spanish. Mat's - well he could also something.

Ruben and Son (Filip) - Bygdøy

Writing in Rubens Momorial Protocol - 1 hr and 33 minutes.

The last Farwell with Flowers

And here you see some of Rubens best friends. Photo taken January 29 - 2009.
We talked a lot. With the combination of loss and what Ruben had given them. Memorable.

Postscript. Ruben's friend did tell us he loved his Papa and Anna.
We are grateful for all the moments we had together.

Wordless - not this Wednesday

On Wednesdays, you my dear reader that knows me well, I use to present someting "Wordless" for you. From our life and thoughts up here at 60 degrees North. (Just now it's very pleasant climate -26 -28 C every Day)
My wordless this week is on my other blog (My Son in his Coffin - grrrr - believe me when I say:
I'm still crying) - Can you be more wordless than when Dead?

It's thank you all for all the kind thoughts and words the past weeks.

It's hard for me to believe I have to write these words - it's still unreal - like a nightmare.

I must confess every single comment makes us stronger after what should not normally happen. Excperience the Death of your own child.

Here is some pictures taken by me. The Pro-photos will be posted later. January 29 -2009.

The Church were filled up to the last seat - about 375 people - among them the poorest, homeless and workless - for whom Ruben dedicated his short life.
We had live bands and brought the Coffin out of the Church with people playing and singing Bob Marley's "Three little Birds".

Here is the last sight of the Coffin

Then we brought all the flowers down to a a cafe - we walked half a mile each with garlands, funeral wreaths and flowers - in a parade - and served people something to eat and drink.

Lot's of people did sign into his memorial protocol. It lasted for 2 1/2 hour.

Then we went to his fav cafe- another 1/2 a mile - bringing again all the flowers - stayed there with his best friends - what they told me was very strong - how he did help them out of hopeless situations, gave them confidence and spirit to a new life. Out of committing suicide - to take higher educations---

Outside "Ruinen" cafe - in Old Oslo. Friends of Ruben.

At a quarter to one in the night - we went into the Ruin Park (what's left from the Viking time in Oslo) and placed all the flowers there. That was a very strong moment. Our farwell to a Son, Father and person and friend that ruined himself by helping the weakest of the weakest.
Did we show feelings?

You can only imagine how strong scenes that took place out there in the heath of the Nordic Summer Night.

Summarized, we do think we did the right thing in the Spirit of Ruben

Thank you all for your sympathies and condolences

Tor - Anna - Solvi (his mother)
and siblings:
Niklas - Mats - Ingelin

Filip (Son)

and the rest of the family (incl Ruben's Grandma)

PS. Excuse my English at this moment.

PS. I'll come back and comment to your wonderful blogs in a while