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Foreword
This is a post about what happens after a trip – but also what lingers in the heart. About Alfred’s wise words, clinking treasure hunts, Grandma’s magic water bottle and Pepsi Max. About missing what’s lost, but also moving forward – with laughter, conversations, and a coffee in hand.
This is one of those posts where the words just have to come. I’m sitting here with my coffee in hand, trying to settle after the days we’ve had. The trip is over, but I still feel like I’m on the road somehow. Those little moments with Alfred – the conversations, the games, the questions – they’re still moving around inside me.
This is life while it’s happening. When you’re right in the middle of it. And I want to capture it.
Morning Coffee, Washing Machines and a Child’s Wisdom
We’re back home again. My husband has edited all the photos from our trip, and I’m sitting on the couch with my morning coffee. Not just awake, but still on my first cup – in that in-between state between sleep and fully awake.
The laptop rests on my knees. I’m trying to gather my thoughts, to land in the everyday. Yesterday we unpacked the car. The laundry got washed and hung outside – thank goodness for our two washing machines. It really makes a difference, especially after a camper trip with kids. You get everything done in a day, even with the long programs. I’m always so grateful for that.
”The best part was that we did it together”
My daughter came to pick up Alfred yesterday. He’s back with his mom now. It feels a bit empty at home – like it always does after he leaves. I asked him what he thought was the best part of the trip. He answered without hesitation:
– That we did it together.
There’s something deeply touching in those words. Not the cowboys, not the ice cream – but being together. It warmed my heart completely.
”Grandma, you must never die”
Later in the afternoon, while we were sitting on the couch, he suddenly said:
– Grandma, I want you to live forever. You must never die.
It came so honestly and straight from the heart. I took the moment and tried to explain that we probably don’t live forever – but that’s exactly why it’s so important to do things together while we can. That we’re kind to each other. That we play, laugh, and say what we want to say.
Treasure Hunts and English Remarks
Alfred is always ready to play. Often the same games, over and over again. Yesterday he rediscovered one of our old favorites – the treasure hunt. Either he hides the treasure chest or I do, and then it must be found.
He’s bilingual, but speaks mostly Swedish. When I hid the treasure, he said:
– Grandma, you so obvious. You got no skills for hiding!
I laughed but also got a bit more clever. I started rattling cutlery, slamming doors, banging pot lids – all just to confuse him. And I managed to fool him. Eventually. A little, at least.
News, Trump and Pepsi Max
After Alfred had gone home, I stayed on the couch watching the news. I wanted to see if Trump had done anything more ridiculous. I’ve told Alfred about him – about the lies, the drama, how one man can make the whole world wobble.
Alfred knows what’s up. Yesterday he said:
– I don’t understand how to make Mom stop drinking Pepsi Max.
I smiled and told him that we can’t control others. We can only choose for ourselves. What we buy. What we say yes to. That’s where we take a stand – in our own actions.
– Good thing I like water best, he said. And your water tastes the best.
All the grandkids have always wanted Grandma’s water. It’s just regular tap water, poured into my water bottle. But if I offer the same water in a glass? Nope, not the same. It has to be from Grandma’s bottle – otherwise it’s not as good. There’s some magic in that.
Trumpanners at the Campground
When we were at High Chaparral, we saw several caravans with American flags. Alfred looked at them and said:
– Grandma, we have Trumpanners here!
I laughed. Yes, I said. They probably haven’t understood what’s best for themselves. Later he asked what that meant – what’s best for yourself. I tried to explain that it’s about not always saying yes just to be kind – sometimes you have to think about yourself too. But it kind of backfired.
A bit later, when I asked him to put down his phone, he replied:
– That’s not what’s best for me!
The Gifts for Hugo and Emilia
Alfred was going to deliver the gifts we had bought – small toy guns and some ammo. One for Hugo and one for Emilia. It stung a little in my heart. Because even if we can buy them things, I can’t be with them. I don’t get to see them.
I miss out on so much with those two little ones. But I’m deeply thankful that I get to have Alfred with me. If things were like they used to be, Emilia would’ve come with us on the trip too. But life looks different now. And I’m trying to accept that – day by day.
The Next Trip – But Where?
Today we’re going to get the camper ready. A new trip is ahead. The plan was to go to Norrland – maybe through Norway on the way back. But the weather up there looks dull. The east coast, on the other hand, promises sunshine. Maybe we’ll explore Västervik and then make our way through Skåne instead. Almost the same trip – just the other way around.
Anyway, we had three fantastic days at High Chaparral. It was just as much fun as last year – and this time we even managed to see things we missed before. But what stays with me the most aren’t the attractions. It’s the conversations and the closeness we had. The little girl, the little boy and little Alfred – we had so much fun together.
Closing Words
It’s in conversations between people that we grow. In those small moments where questions are allowed to remain questions, and answers can take their time. Alfred – that wise little soul – he teaches me more than he knows.
Thank you for reading. Please feel free to leave a comment. Tell me where you’re reading from – north, south, or maybe from a completely different country? Yesterday I saw I had a visitor from the Philippines.
Isn’t it beautiful how small the world becomes when we share it with one another?
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