Helsinki III

After a few weeks of going about my business and reading too many heavy books like Sophie’s Choice (for me at the time, a terrible choice), I actually did make a friend. Lindsey was introduced to me through the International Church folks, my hosts. Lindsey’s husband worked for the American Embassy and they had lived in Helsinki for a couple of years by then. In fact, their daughter, two year old Emily, had been born at the same hospital where I would be admitted, so Lindsey knew all the ropes I had to maneuver.

Lindsey was truly heaven sent, and she operated like a big rainstorm (or like my Grandmother Winifred), fearless, fast moving, and washing all the dust away. Even in other types of foul weather, she was determined to get me out and distracted from my big wait. Likewise, she was determined to get her little brood out in the double-wide Emmaljunga stroller. Emily had a four year old brother Christopher—together they were an adorable team and always compliant and happy. Lindsey and her kids were an excellent example of what I'd soon be handling myself! We went on some wonderful little excursions, us four, and Lindsey took excellent care of my spirit. She took this photo of me a week before my son was born.

When I finally thought I might possibly be in the early labor stages, Lindsey insisted that my husband get on the next plane. I was always hesitant to bother him with my own little insecurities and anxieties, and I wasn’t sure if this was labor or just going bananas, but Lindsey boldly responded to my flakiness and said, “It doesn’t matter, Maren! You need him and he needs to get here!” So together we picked him up from the airport in Helsinki and my husband didn’t exactly know what hit him--He’d just been shuffled onto a plane and then fetched by his slightly stir-crazy wife and some lady with lots of thick dark hair and two little matching kids strapped into the back seat of a Fiat!

In the end, my son was born 24 hours and a plate of deep fried jalapenos later on April 7th. Lindsey was right and knew exactly what I needed. Save my husband, she and little Emily were also my only visitors in the long (but customary) five day hospital stay. She had a fantastic chicken dinner waiting at my door on the day we were discharged back to the mission house, and soon after that, she and her husband Paul had us three over for another wonderful meal as a farewell to Helsinki.

Lindsey gave me so much more than distraction and good food, though. The love, kindness and instant friendship she showered me with has become something I have committed to passing forward. I knew I’d never be able to repay her, but it will always be my pleasure to return the favor in her honor to anyone crossing my path like I crossed hers.

Lindsey, Paul, Christopher and Emily came to visit us in Aluksne a few months later, and unfortunately, seas much wider than the Baltic have usually divided us since then, but we remain in contact. We both vividly and so fondly remember our very short time together. I was so grateful to her and the beautiful example of womanhood and motherhood she was--and still is!

Likely you are thinking that my little trip backwards has taken a wrong turn from the original direction of How I Became a Designer to Indulgent TMI, but I assure you, even though there are no building materials or architectural details involved in these few entries, our story has not gone astray! Thank you for sticking with me!