Midsummer Hug from Somero

Evening everyone. Here in Finland people are looking forward to Midsummer's eve tomorrow, which is one of the biggest celebrations of the year. In a country which has to endure long and dark winters, the long sunny days (and nights) of the summer are something to be celebrated.

Most people will be spending time with friends and family tomorrow, swimming in lakes, going to the sauna, barbequeing and watching bonfires all over the country.

Just as all Finns remember to appreciate the long summer days, I try to remind myself frequently not to forget all the other important things in life, but to be grateful for all the good things we have.

For me, true and enduring friendship has to be near the top of my list, and today was one of those when I truly needed mine.

Somehow the angels picked up on this, because this afternoon I had four surprise visitors in a row. I had not been expecting anyone, but all of a sudden I had one visitor after another, at exactly the right time. In addition when I checked in on Facebook there were several messages waiting for me

If you have been through a divorce you will know how it can make you feel. Like you've become invisible, that you never mattered anyway and that no-one will ever notice you again. That may sound dramatic to those who haven't been there, but those who have will know that what I am saying is the truth.

So as I go to bed this evening, I am saying thank you for the light of summer but also thank you to my friends for being who they are.

Do one thing this Midsummer. Get in touch with someone you care about who might not be expecting it. Take the hug I am sending via this post and deliver it to them personally. It might well be the best Midsummer surprise they could wish for.

Love at Nummijärvi Lake

Nummijärvi lake is one of the most beautiful places in Somero, especially when the sun is shining.

This evening I took Niko, Luca and Minttu to the beach there. It is one of those calm and magical places, far removed from high buildings and traffic and noise, which makes you think about all the things that really matter in life.

As I watched the children splashing around in the water I thought about the things that matter to us. Having had to say goodbye to my Dad just a few weeks ago, this evening I was reminded that there aren't really many things on that list, not when you think about it.

I guess for me the list would include family, friendship, love, memories of togetherness, having a purpose in life and belonging somewhere.

None of those are things any of us can take for granted, as I know only too well. The trick has to be to remember to be thankful for those things we do have, and not to give up hoping for the things we do not.

I'll be honest. I often feel as though finding genuine love, the kind that fights for survival instead of walking away and accepts you for the person you are, is probably the toughest of all. Mostly because having it depends on the feelings of someone else - something which will always be beyond our control.

I haven't managed to find that kind of love yet. But however unlikely it may seem, I refuse to give up hope that it exists, even for me. If and when I find it, we will go to the beach on Nummijärvi lake and hold hands and look at the water. And I will know that I was right not to give up hope.

 

Cutest Guy in Somero

It's official. I have now found the cutest little guy in Somero.  And here he is.

Akseli the squirrel has being enjoying a regular supply of peanuts in our garden and posed for this pic over the weekend just to wish you all a lovely week full of positive things.

As you can see from his cheeky face, Akseli has a twinkle in his eye and knows how to have a good time. So now that we're entering the lightest week of the year, let's enjoy the build-up to Midsummer and all the good things that come with it. With a hug to you all from both me and Akseli here in Somero...

You Can Fly....

If I wrote a list of all the things that have gone wrong today, it would be a long one. But I know from experience there is no point in that.

Instead, here's a photo which I hope may inspire you. Even on the days when your life seems full of obstacles.....

never give up on your dream to fly.

Prince of Kiikala

It's almost two in the morning. I went out for a drive a little earlier as I wanted to get some fresh air. As usual I had my camera with me in case I stumbled across something worth taking a picture of. And I was pleased that I did as I came across this little chap sitting in the middle of the road. In actual fact this is a not a Somero frog (I found him in Kiikala, Salo) but he had such a lovely expression on his face that I could not resist showing you. 

He is called Paavo by the way, and yes, I moved him off the middle of the road so he could carry on meditating in safety. I'm off to bed now. Sleep well everyone....

Frank

As I write this it's half past ten in the evening here in Somero. After a very warm sunny day and then a thunder storm this afternoon, it is still light outside and the sky is a gentle pinky blue. There is a light breeze but it's warm enough to be outside in just a t-shirt.

The little ones are all in bed asleep, the washing is done and the kitchen is just about tidy, so a few minutes ago I decided to go and sit on the swing outside and write a letter to a friend of mine.

As I sat there I thought about my Dad. It's nearly three months now since he died, but I still talk to him every day. I told him I was feeling a bit alone this evening, but he didn't say anything back.  Only a few seconds passed until I heard a rustle in the bushes next to where I was sitting.

My Dad had sent me a little friend to keep me company in the garden.  I watched him for a while. He sniffed around a bit, then casually crossed the lawn and sat for a while next to the wood we burn in the fire. Long enough for me to get this shot of him.

It's not a great shot, but hopefully one day he will come back again and I'll manage a better photo. At least you can see him in this one though. I've called him Frank (after my Dad). He brightened up my day in an instant.

If you are out there somewhere having a lonely moment, I hope that your own hedgehog arrives to keep you company very soon.

Somero Summer

End of school year service at Somero church

A couple of years ago my family and I spent the summer in Ecuador on a human rights project. Knowing little about Ecuador before I went, I expected the weather to be hot and to come home in August with a tan. As it turned out, it rained every day of the six weeks that we were there, and at the same time I was getting texts from friends in Finland saying that it was 30 degrees celsius in the shade.

Lucie at her summer job in Kiljava

Much as the family enjoys travelling, we decided that from now on we would spend our summers in Finland, come rain or shine, and leave the travelling to the colder months.

So far this year we have been lucky. It's still only the first week of June but the weather here at the moment is warmer than in southern europe.

Schools in Finland break up at the end of May and stay closed until mid August. Last Saturday was the traditional church service to celebrate the end of the school year and there was immediately a different atmosphere around town as there are suddenly children everywhere enjoying their summer freedom.

Our house is different too over the summer. Lucie is off in Kiljava on a summer job for several weeks and Cameron will go camping at least once.

On Sunday I sat on the beach in Sääksjärvi along with several hundred other people who had the same idea.

In a country where the winters are so long, the Finns make sure to benefit from every minute of sun during the summer months. The children are off for ten weeks and most working adults have at least four weeks holiday, the vast majority of which is spent outside.

Over the next few weeks many Finns will be doing all the things that Finns do in the summer. Eating new potatoes and fresh strawberries, going to music festivals, visiting markets and summer cottages, barbequeing in the garden, sauna and swimming in the lakes...and most importantly remembering to treasure the freedom of being outside in shorts and sandals instead of snowsuits and boots.

Somero also comes to life as thousands of Finns come here to spend several weeks in their summer cottages....so you know what I am going to say next. If you are looking for somewhere to visit over the next few weeks I know a place you'd be very welcome....