The Hummingbirds in AZ

Gretchen and I were looking outside at the Arizona sky.  Gretchen reflected on all her interactions with Dad.  She talked about her phone conversations, visits, camping trips, car rides, etc.  She explained that despite the good and the stressful times, Dad would always point to the beautiful things.  He would talk about the quail, the flowers, the ducks and the sky.  It was a tender moment as we remembered our Dad.  While talking, a hummingbird came to feed at the hummingbird feeder.  As always, the bird was moving its wings so fast, you couldn't even see them.  As you know, hummingbirds are always busy, never resting.  After its last drink, we expected it to take off to continue its beautiful day.  Not so, it simply landed on the nearby shelf, not far away from Gretchen and me, and it sat there, looking all around, occasionally preening itself.  That never happens.  I said to Gretchen, "Where is it that even the hummingbird sits reposed for a restful time?"  Somewhere it is written that "even the hummingbirds will perch in peacefulness."   Chris.

The Best Post

I first learned the diagnosis and prognosis on Tuesday afternoon. My father told me he was in advanced stage stomach cancer.  No treatments.  I was in shock.  Dad’s voice was very weak and the strain in his voice acted like an alarm in my heart.  I was not going to wait until the 22^nd to travel as had been my plan, and began plans to leave the very next day.  I thought long and hard about what I needed to say, what he might need to hear, and how I might be of help to him.  To say that a torrent of regrets and fears roiled about inside of me is an understatement.  “Nothing to do but pray,” I told myself as I packed.  “Each step will be guided,” an inner voice spoke to me as I boarded the plane.  I knew I had made the right decision to ask my husband to come along.  I needed his strength for what I had to face.

When I first walked in the door, in familiar voice “Is that Gretchen?” came from within the bedroom.  I crawled up on dad’s bed to wrap my arms around him, and maybe even more truthfully, to have him wrap his arms around me.  We covered the most important news of the last several days and solidified the plan that Dad and Nita intended him to stay at home, comfortable and surrounded by those he loved.  I asked him, “Do you remember when we used to take those family trips up to the mountains?”  “Yes,” he answered with a little knowing grin.  Remember how we had to do a lot of the packing together, just you and me?”  He shook his head as we shared that knowing look.  “It wasn’t much fun, was it?  The packing part I mean.”  I paused as he took his time to recall those trips of years ago.  “But then when we got to the mountains, it was all worth it, wasn’t it?”  “Yes.  Those were some of the best memories of our family’s life.  I wanted to take you on

A Note from Rick Oftel, Harold's Nephew

When I was a young boy, my parents (Monica Oftel (Myhre) and Roald Oftel) would occasionally vacation in the Northwest corner ofMinnesota spending time in Stephen, Argyle, and Warren.  I probably wore out my welcome at Grandpa Joe’s International Harvesterdealership but kids that like machinery and equipment have a way of doing exactly that.  We traveled to Warren many times and watched Harold’s family grow and grow. 

One fun memory I have was watching Harold participate in a buggy race over at the Warren fairgrounds.   Mind you, this wasn’t a typical buggy race; the buggies were pulled with ostriches.  Unfortunately, the weather had rained significantly and the strong ostriches were no match for “Gumbo.”  In case you don’t recognize the term, gumbo is the local term for sticky mud.   The birds were unhitched from the carts and I believe Uncle Harold was able to remain on the back of one huge honking bird for most of the straight away. 

Harold liked toys.  Soon after Artic Cat began production, Harold purchased a snowmobile called the Panther.  Our family left the cities for a Thanksgiving road trip and Uncle Harold was very excited to show me his new toy.  It looked really nifty but one of the requirements is snow and the outside ground was very brown.  We had a great meal that couldn’t be beat and started relaxing by the fire.  What would you expect from Norwegians and Swedes?  All of a sudden it started snowing and the snow was coming down very fast.  Within a few hours, there was about six inches of that beautiful what stuff.  Yep, Uncle Harold motioned me to the garage and that was all it took.  I rode through the cemetery, the fair grounds, and anyplace that looked reasonable.  Got it stuck and discovered it only went forward.  Oh well, it sure was fun getting cold. 

I’m positive Uncle Harold had a fulfilled and interesting life.  My best wishes to family and friends.  May God bless! 

Rick Oftel