CHRISTMAS LETTER

Clare, Kirk, Elaine, Laurel, Todd

I just reread my last blog post for 2011 and this is what I had written. “As this year draws to a close, I want to wish each of you God's best for the new year ahead. We don't always know what is best for us and do not know what we will be facing in 2012. What we do know is that God loves us and will be with us each step of the way.”

Little did I know that that Ecclesiastes 3:2 would be fulfilled in our family in 2012 “a time to be born and a time to die”. We said good-bye to Howard on May 17 at St. Joesph's Special Care Home in Estevan, less than 24 hours after I received a phone call about a drop in his oxygen level. Laurel, Clare, Kirk and I spent the afternoon and evening with him, but he never regained consciousness. He died shortly after ten the next morning with Laurel, Kirk and me by his side. Overnight I became a widow after being a wife for over forty-five years. It is a strange to be "alone" after years of being a couple.

Howard Bennard Johnson
August 11, 1935 - May 17, 2012

He was called from his earthly life on a doubly special day – Norway's Independence Day as well as Ascension Day on the church calendar. His funeral service was held on May 22. It was so comforting to be surrounded by all our immediate family - four children and spouses, seven grandchildren, two brothers, two sisters, all our nieces and nephews along with most of the spouses. God's timing was perfect. Two hundred and fifty people came to mourn his passing and to celebrate his life with us.

Eleven Erickson cousins
together for the first time in 15 years

Four Erickson's - Alan, Merv, Elaine, Sandra

I think I was in shock for quite awhile. I could sit all day and not get much of anything done – couldn't face the task of sending thank you cards for all the wonderful gifts of food, flowers, donations in his memory, cards, notes, emails and visits by phone and in person. I apologize for being so late to express my heartfelt thanks for these many acts of love and caring for me and our family. The memorial gifts given to St. Joseph's bought a special air mattress that will bring comfort to many residents over the years. Gifts to Trinity are going towards new flooring in the entry and hallway.

My sister and I had planned a trip to Norway in July and that was such a blessing for my sorrowing heart. We flew from Regina on July 18 and returned three weeks later after a most wonderful time spent in Oslo, Skien, Bømlo,Bergen and Kristiansund. We ended our “round birthday” trip with two days in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was Sandra's first trip to “the homeland” and my fifth. Heartfelt thanks to our many loving Norsk hosts.

Sisters viewing Bergen, Norway

We appreciated an average harvest this year after very little was even seeded in 2011. Clare seeded soybeans for the first time, along with durum wheat and canola. He appreciated so much the help that was exended, especially at seeding time with Howard's passing in the midst of it. Special thanks to Rick and Mandy who arrived from the US with a new camper the day of Howard's passing. They were a day later than they had planned but God's timing was right on. The camper sleeps ten and provided extra beds right in our yard for family. Rick's new work boots were put to good use too as he was soon out in the fields on the tractor.  Kirk and Clare's campers were here too so we had a family of thirty in the yard for several days. It was wonderful to be together and share memories of Howard through laughter as well as tears.

I had planned our trip to Norway so that I would be home for Howard's birthday on August 11. After his passing, we made plans to gather that weekend to celebrate his life. The annual worship service at Salem was held on the 12^th. We were so glad that Ardis, Kris, Stacy, Sam and Ava could be with us for swimming and shopping in Crosby and lots of visitng around the campfire. More laughter and tears help us to heal.

Ardis, Kris, Stacy, Ava and Samuel at Salem

I enjoyed a trip to Frontier with Clare's on Oct. 5 to help Sandra celebrate her 60^th birthday. We were also present for the baptism of her and Merle's 8^th grandchild, Rhett Oscar Sanford. It was good to visit with Alan and Judy too. Judy's only sister, Barb, died suddenly in September, just after Judy started radiation treatments for breast cancer.

“A time to be born” happened on September 7 with the arrival of precious little Nora Josephine Johnson for Todd and Kristy in Kristiansund, Norway. Her birthdate is doubly special as she shares that birth date with her cousin Abbey Johnson as well as her great aunt, Ardis Johnson. Nora was born in Norway but is a Canadian with her own passport. She was also baptised on October 7 and wore the gown that Todd wore at his baptism the day that he was one month old. The gown was made by my mother for Laurel's baptism.

It was an exciting day when I met little Nora for the first time after taking the bus to Brooks, AB on Dec. 6. Todd, Kristy and Nora spent two weeks in Mexico with Kristy's family so now it was the Johnson's turn! Todd and I enjoyed the dinner theatre and overnight stay in Rosebud with several of Howard's Bergum cousins. We came back to SK via Frontier (thanks to Ledene's vehicle) so Sandra's and Alan's could meet Nora and visit with Todd and Kristy. I feel so blessed to have had these special Christmas visits.

Our three Norsk Canadians

We enjoyed two early Christmas weekends here at the farm with all nine adults and eight children of the Johnson family together. It was eight years since Todd had been home at Christmas time and so good that we could be together on this first Christmas without Howard. Todd's are now in Brooks for Christmas and will fly home on Jan.3.

Eight special grandchildren
Dawson, Carter, Lindsay, Eric, Abbey, Nora, Jamie, Ashley

I am spending this winter at the farm after housesitting in Estevan last year. I have booked a flight to Phoenix, AZ from Regina, leaving on Jan. 22 and returning on Feb.5. Special cousins, Myrna and Ernie Damm, will meet me there and take me to their winter home in Yuma, AZ.  I hope to visit some Canadian "Snow Birds" too.

We are missing Howard this Christmas, and every day, but we know that his “time to die” on May 17 was God's best for him. And after years of waiting for a child, Nora's “time to be born” was truly God's best gift to Todd and Kristy and all of us in our year of loss. “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow”. A blessed Christmas to you and yours and God's best in 2013. 

With love from Elaine and family

"Oh Holy Night"
picture of Salem by Todd