Comments on: Thoughts of Norway http://inside.saab.com/thoughts-of-norway/ Lorum Ipsum tagline Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:03:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Anonymous http://inside.saab.com/thoughts-of-norway/#comment-2272 Anonymous Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:54:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=1924#comment-2272 Norway…..? Kids….? It never ends, does it? There’s always one more malevolent kook out there, and the depth of their depravity never ceases to confound me. I’ve had but two Norwegian friends, Einar and Arne, and as I pondered the tragedy I couldn’t help but also think about them. Einar returned to Norway after a long stint here in Boston. My thoughts are with you and your folk, old friend. Arne died not long ago, and perhaps I am happy that he did not live long enough to see this day; it would have broken his heart.  He had the most extraordinary life, surviving Nazi camps, execution orders for his resistance work, and competitive sailing on the Atlantic. Much later, he moved to the states, married a young woman and in the twilight of his life raised two beautiful daughters. I don’t know how many languages Arne spoke, but he always spoke to me in perfect French, avec un accent impeccable. Though he was an exceptionally vivacious octogenarian, it was ultimately a stroke which slowed Arne down. Still, he never let us forget that every day there was a reason for joy and celebration. “Enjoy every day you can. You never know,” he once told an interviewer. If there is a heaven, Arne will have been the first to greet the victims, in his Norwegian fishing sweater,  and his warm eyes and genuine smile will have let them know that  everything will be all right. Norway…..? Kids….? It never ends, does it? There’s always one more malevolent kook out there, and the depth of their depravity never ceases to confound me. I’ve had but two Norwegian friends, Einar and Arne, and as I pondered the tragedy I couldn’t help but also think about them. Einar returned to Norway after a long stint here in Boston. My thoughts are with you and your folk, old friend.
Arne died not long ago, and perhaps I am happy that he did not live long enough to see this day; it would have broken his heart.  He had the most extraordinary life, surviving Nazi camps, execution orders for his resistance work, and competitive sailing on the Atlantic. Much later, he moved to the states, married a young woman and in the twilight of his life raised two beautiful daughters. I don’t know how many languages Arne spoke, but he always spoke to me in perfect French, avec un accent impeccable. Though he was an exceptionally vivacious octogenarian, it was ultimately a stroke which slowed Arne down. Still, he never let us forget that every day there was a reason for joy and celebration. “Enjoy every day you can. You never know,” he once told an interviewer.
If there is a heaven, Arne will have been the first to greet the victims, in his Norwegian fishing sweater,  and his warm eyes and genuine smile will have let them know that  everything will be all right.

]]> By: barry sorrel http://inside.saab.com/thoughts-of-norway/#comment-2259 barry sorrel Sun, 24 Jul 2011 07:32:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=1924#comment-2259 Two years ago I spent some time in Bergen and Olden and met some wonderful people!  Incredibly warm and friendly.  My heart goes out to all those folk effected by this mindless trajedy. Two years ago I spent some time in Bergen and Olden and met some wonderful people!  Incredibly warm and friendly.  My heart goes out to all those folk effected by this mindless trajedy.

]]> By: Anonymous http://inside.saab.com/thoughts-of-norway/#comment-2255 Anonymous Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:14:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=1924#comment-2255 A strong and tight hug to all our Norwegian friends !!! We are by your side. Carlo A strong and tight hug to all our Norwegian friends !!! We are by your side.

Carlo

]]> By: Anonymous http://inside.saab.com/thoughts-of-norway/#comment-2254 Anonymous Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:10:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=1924#comment-2254 Indeed words words may seem of little comfort in such a situation but it has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword and it may be of some small comfort to those affected to know that others hold them in their thoughts at this time. Indeed words words may seem of little comfort in such a situation but it has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword and it may be of some small comfort to those affected to know that others hold them in their thoughts at this time.

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