Fika is the Swedish word used as both a verb and noun “to have coffee” or a “coffee break”, but it’s really much more. It’s about a comforting respite with family and friends. It also must be coupled with sweets, for which Minnesotans are famous. Well that is exactly what I did this weekend in the land of my fellow Scandanavians. In addition, relatives joined my family and me for a beautiful celebration for my mother Susan, who was born on the family farm in Cambridge in 1935 of 100% Swedish descent. Chris and I were all set to host a gathering at Spectacle Lake (ie. the family lake) in June 2020, but the pandemic struck and the rest is history. We gathered Saturday at the Cambridge Lutheran cemetery to place her remaining ashes next to her parents, Elmer and Gertrude aka “Gertie”, who were born in 1896 and 1897, respectively. Together, they produced 5 children and 21 grandchildren, so I grew up with cousins galore and the summer visits to the Midwest were epic. My mom loved John Denver and his song “Back Home Again” inspired me to bring her remains back to Minnesota to which she was inextricably tied. To close my eulogy, I read the chorus from the song:
“Hey, it’s good to be back home again
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend
Yes, and hey, it’s good to be back home again.”
After the memorial, cousins gathered for food and stories, laughs and tears…and lots of chocolate cake, just the way my mom would want. Fika! And welcome home Mom.
