Dear Cheryl!
We just can't understand that you are not among us any longer and our thoughts have, since the sad message, been wandering...
Our very first encounter was during my German lessons when you turned up as the American student, who always had good questions and comments especially on the German grammar. You were an eager learner and you spread delight in the classroom.
One day, you showed me an article you had written about your, as you said "very pregnant Danish teacher" for an American newspaper. You wrote about our school in Handen and had even interviewed other teachers at Komvux. This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship not only with the two of us but even with our families, Ulf's mother and my Danish family included.
We have so many shared memories, one especially that I'll never forget. My first visit to Öja Gård was together with my eldest son Thomas, aged 11. We were invited by Calle to join him on his flight in the area. During the flight when we were passing Mariefred, Calle had hardly spoken the words "look down at the church" before he and the co-pilot suddenly fell sick while Cheryl and I, sitting in the back, barely could hold back laughter while having our noses stuck deep into the paper bags.
After this visit countless of visits followed to your beautiful place. You were always the last person to go to bed and the first person to wake up in the morning, cooking, baking (American cookies/ making typical American pancakes with lots of syrup) fixing, mending, talking on the phone, writing, socializing, jogging, you name it. Your energy was inexhaustible and your hospitality was limitless. You were a real doer and a loving friend.
In our minds the pictures and experiences of all the things we did together will always have a very special room of its own. We see ourselves sitting on the terrace enjoying the first warm beams of the spring sun, we hear the wonderful and humanlike goats neighing, we can still smell the sweet scent of flowers while our eyes wander across the fields that have been cultivated for generations, and we see the pond that you Cheryl dug out.
We can hear the sounds and laughter of all the people you brought together every Valborg evening. As a matter of fact it was almost always cold and rainy standing on the top of the hill watching the bonfire but we loved it and so did our children who were so fond of you and your children. They had a great time together always being up to mischief.
In the evenings we were served moose barbecue and lots of delicious foods; here we planned your visit to our summer cottage in the archipelago which was a Midsummer tradition. When the great camper arrived we knew that it was time to celebrate. Dancing round the pole, eating and above all playing games during the long light night....Cheryl you didn't go to bed before you were sure of winning the game - and you always did!
Rest in peace Cheryl we'll always remember you!
Ulf & Birgit
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