Each summer my parents would load up the station wagon and we would go camping for a week. Grandpa Anderson always came along with us. Grandpa (Andrew) Anderson was my Mom’s Dad. His wife, my Grandma Addie, died in April of 1955, a few short months before I was born. Once my parents moved to Romeo from Lapeer, he came and visited us often. He would drive from Marine City to Romeo and stay with us until he need some peace and quiet and then he would return home. He was a huge help for my mother and kept all of us kids occupied. He loved to sit on the beach and keep an eye on us when were were swimming.

When I was seven our family camping trip was an exploration of the lower peninsula or the Mitten! We camped in several locations along the way including a stop in Tawas, Rogers City, Mackinaw and Orchard Beach as we rounded the upper part of the lower peninsula before making our way back to Romeo where we lived.

When I was eight years old, our camping trip was in the upper peninsula which included a trip to the Soo Locks. Today when you go to the Soo Locks you can time your visit to be there when you are certain that a freighter is traversing thru the locks. Visit www.saultstemarie.com/finding-freightors-sault-ste-marie-mi or Marinetraffic.com. Marinetraffic has an app for your phone. But in 1963 you just took your chances and somehow we timed it just right

Not only did we see a ship go through the locks but it was a Norwegian ship headed northbound to Lake Superior. My Grandfather, who was a gentle, quiet, reserved man, became very excited. Grandpa Anderson had arrived in Michigan from Norway fifty nine years ago in 1904 and never had an opportunity to return to his homeland. Until this day I had never heard my Grandfather raise his voice much above a whisper. My Grandfather yelled out a greeting to a sailor on deck in a language I had never heard him speak. This loud outburst from such a quiet man was a happy lively greeting. I was startled and surprised! I walked with him the full length of the lock as the ship navigated thru it. For the next twenty minutes or so, Grandpa and the young sailor yelled back and forth. My grandfather showed me a full range of emotions from laughter, dismay, surprise and eventually several tears which he quickly wiped away all the while having what appeared to be a eager, informative conversation with this sailor. I was so excited to hear him speak, I took in every thing he said but did not understanding a word. I could not wait for him to be done talking so I could ask him what they said.

Eventually the water level had risen which brought the ship to the correct height in the lock for entering Lake Superior, the horn blew, the gates began to open and the freighter began to leave the lock. As it sailed away, Grandpa and his new sailor friend waved…said their “goodbyes” and it was all over. I was so excite, I said, “Grandpa, Grandpa what did he say?” He looked down at me with his gentle smile and said in his calm reserved voice, “Oh nothing child”. “Wait, what do you mean nothing?” I implored. “You just talked to him for the whole time that we have been walking, he had to say something?”, I asked. He said, “its OK child, it was nothing!” I never heard him speak his native language again.

I have often thought of that day with my Grandfather. Was the conversation something that an eight year old should not heard? I just can not imaging my always gentle Grandfather having that kind of conversation. You know “the mouth of a sailor” type because after all he was a sailor for many years when he first arrived in America. Or after 59 years of not using his native language, did he struggle to have a conversation with the sailor on deck. Did he no longer understand everything that had been said. I never sensed frustrated, only excitement so I don’t think that is it either.

My Grandfather has been gone a long time but my memories of that day are vivid and very special. That day, I heard him speak in his native language. In our lives there are many events which will establish a permanent place in our hearts. A memory you will always cherish, that will always be special to you. This is one that my Grandfather and I share forever. Never underestimate the impact that you can have on another person. Take advantage of making these seemly small and insignificant events a lasting memory for those around you, those that you care about, be they family or friends.

Love you Grandpa!

Jan