This is the jam table from one day of our trip to Denmark. (A day that hasn't been published yet--keep dreaming folks. I will eventually complete the ENTIRE trip.) We found this table on the side of the road across the street from a tiny church located in tiny town on a tiny island. It was early in the morning and we saw very few people out and about in this little town. But the jam was there and for sale. And the payment was the honor system. You pick your bottle of jam, deposit the correct amount of money in the little glass jar and go merrily on your way.
I purchased raspberry lemon jam. Hmmmmm. I carried it back from Denmark in my already overstuffed carryon bag and I wrapped it carefully amid the clothes and shoes because most of all I wanted to bring a taste of Denmark back home with me. I spooned it on toast with almond butter and let its summery goodness glide down my throat. It did remind me of that beautiful morning and the smell of the ocean and the view of the verdant summer fields on that island.
The flag of Denmark is red and my jam was red as well. I know that today is St. Patrick's Day and I'm wearing green to celebrate the Irish-American heritage of our great country, but I must admit that on this day I bleed more Danish red than Irish green. I hope the Irish ancestors of America don't take offense because in remembering to honor them and their sacrifices and contributions to our land, my soul has been stolen by the beautiful isles of Denmark and the way they worked their magic into my heart . . . and stomach.
My bet is in the big picture, it mostly matters that we remember, whether we bleed red, blue or green, that many of the blessings we enjoy today have come because of the sacrifice and choices of so many before us.
And to that I say: Thank you.
6 comments:
My favorite part of this post is about the honor system. I needed to hear that today. Am feeling surrounded, physically if not emotionally, by rotten people. We had to go inside this afternoon when our neighbors across the cul-de-sac started yelling obscenities in their yard. It's nice to be reminded that there are more good people than bad, no matter where you go in the world.
You made me cry . . . even easier now that I'm pregnant.
I like this heritage take on St. Patrick's Day, but seriously, stop heaping on the Denmark nostalgia or I might drain the savings account and move there. :)
Hadley--I think the honor system of payment really inspired me too. I'm glad it resonated with you too.
Meg--You know, I'm always thinking of ways to push some tears out of my prego sister. :)
Cissy--Really, drain the savings account? Well, I don't know how you are going to survive the rest of my Denmark posts then. Cause the nostalgia will be seeping out of them. :)
Eden, you are such an amazing person. Any time I want to read something poetic and want to be reminded of taking a better perspective, I read your blog. Thanks for the posts:).
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