D is for Dans
One particular ‘dans’ (dance in English) stands out in my mind. In 1996 I
attended the international Quaker gathering on Barnens Ö (Children’s Island) in
Sweden, and while there came into contact with Swedish Quakers for the first
time. The first night of the gathering was memorable. After supper in our
particular house (the participants lived in various houses spread over the
site) the host announced that the dishwasher wasn’t working and could she
please have a few volunteers to wash the dishes by hand. As I enjoy washing-up my
arm shot up into the air, along with those of a few others.
There were a lot of dishes and pots and
pans to wash, and it took quite a bit of time to get everything clean and dried.
As we worked we chatted and got to know each other a little better. We came
from different countries, so our curiosity was great. When everything was
finished, and the kitchen area had emptied, Gunnar remarked on how much space
there was now that everyone had gone. I responded by saying that yes, we could
even dance in it! What an idea, said Gunnar, and we promptly began to do just
that!
That spontaneous ‘dans’ in the kitchen signalled
the start of a friendship with Gunnar, and later with his wife, Elfi, that lasted
until one and then the other passed away. When I came to Sweden in 1999 as the
first Visiting Friend for the Europe and Middle East Section (EMES) of the
Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), it was Gunnar who translated a
talk that I gave at the Friends Centre in Stockholm and it was Elfi who made
sure that I was well and truly cared for during my stay.
If there is any message or moral in this
story it is – Dare to Dans! You never know where it might lead.
Thanks Sue! I love the last paragraph! We should all remember that.
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