A Christmas Eve Juxtaposition

Today, Christmas Eve, was my grandfather’s birthday – Dec. 24, 1879 – he was born 130 years ago today at a place named Garretson, Dakota Territory (now South Dakota)!

His Dad (my great grandfather) was 57 when my grandfather was born. His Mom (my great grandmother) was 40 when he was born. Together with their children (but before my grandfather was even conceived), his Mom and Dad had emigrated from Norway on the Bark Columbus leaving Bergen, Norway on May 5, 1856 and arriving in Montreal on July 2, 1856. 137 passengers were on-board. They eventually settled in Garretson in 1873, six years before my grandfather’s birth.

Today is also one of my granddaughters’ birthdays – Dec. 24, 2008 – she was born one year ago today.

Fascinating juxtaposition. Makes me think of one of those “dinners you could wish for”. Wouldn’t it be great fun to introduce one to the other? Great-great-grandfather to great-great-granddaughter! What great fun they would have!

We shared a lot of those feelings at our family’s Christmas Eve celebration tonight. Yesterday, we shared a special treat as the Berkeley Rotary Club honored my Dad with a Paul Harris Fellowship.

Hope you also had a wonderful Christmas Eve tonight with your family and friends! And, a very Merry Christmas tomorrow.