Solitude

Come with me up this wooded shady path. This I think, will be a walk in search of solitude.

Such a beautiful place – this mountain trail, the greens, blues and even the shady places hold a fascination for me. I wonder if the animals that live and walk here are aware of their good fortune – probably not – even we humans fall far short in that respect.

It’s cooler here in the wooded shade but oh so fresh and clean. I wonder why our lives can’t be this way – why can’t people have fresh, pure thoughts and really love each other – then could all people really appreciate nature, the land and each other.

It’s peaceful up here close to the sky. I think I’ll sit here and let my soul soak up the freshness and peace I find here. No noises to irritate the ears and mind, only the sounds of nature to please and soothe the bruised and battered nerves.

The wind is so soft and soothing, just that fresh, easy breeze to clear the mind. The smells of cleanness everywhere, dew on the grass and bushes, and that sky – from here it resembles a lovely blue blanket dotted here and there with the fluffy white that makes me think of sterile cotton.

How I wish everyone of all nations could find their place of solitude, then maybe some of the world’s ills could be cured.

My solitude is here – in this land called Alaska. I ask only to be able to live here in peace and to be able to truly enjoy the lessons nature has to teach to all who care to listen.

Lois E. Schoppe

My Trek

I left my home just after dawn.

My journey had begun.

I was walking toward those distant hills, facing the rising of the sun.

I need to feel the earth as I walk, hear sounds and smells so sweet.

The rushing water in the streams, green, soft grasses beneath my feet.

My mind is clear, my thoughts on things I need to feel and understand.

God must have loved Alaska; it was he who formed this land.

I feel that I, though just a speck, my journey just begun, know now for sure as 

God made me, he made the land of the midnight sun.

May 26, 1983

Lois E. Schoppe

Together Forever

Mom and Dad had an agreement, one year in Alaska and if she still wanted to go back to Michigan, they would.

Needless to say, that never happened. Mom loved it as much as Dad did and never wanted to leave.

The rest of their story is simple, two years after Billy, they had me. Mom drove up with Billy and me and, after Dad got a job at the power plant in Fort Greely, we lived in Delta Junction, where they had Lori. Melanie was born later, after we moved to the Matanuska Valley. Together they raised four kids and lived the adventure of life in the last frontier.

My next several posts will contain poems Mom wrote about her life in Alaska and there is where, I'm sad to say, this blog will end. Their lives were full and happy and now they sleep, together forever, in the cold, hard country they loved so much.

What more is there to say?


Please join me next week for the first of Mom's poems: My Trek

You Got Yourself a Boy, Part II (Conclusion)

November 1957

Another man wandered up to stand beside Bill as he stared at his son. “That your kid?”

Bill swallowed the lump in his throat. “My first. A boy.” 

He turned to the man. “Isn’t he something?”

The man smiled, showing off a black gap where his two front teeth used to hang out.  “He’s a fat one, that’s for sure.”

Bill stared at the man for a second and wondered if that comment should piss him off.  He turned back to his son. Red hair, miniature Michelin Man arms ending in chubby hands folded against round little pink cheeks. He laughed. “You’re right, he is fat.”

“That’s okay, though, means he’s healthy. Don’t want no skinny babies.” The man nodded his thanks as Bill handed him a cigar.

“Don’t mind if I do. Thanks.” He stuck the cigar in his shirt pocket and pointed at a bassinet kitty corner from Bill’s baby.  “That’un’s mine. Girl number five. Not as fat as your kid, but good and healthy.”

Turning away from the glass he smacked Bill on the shoulder. “You got yourself a boy, lucky you. Congratulations, man.” He ambled off down the hall.

“Yeah, thanks.  You too.” Bill raised his voice so the guy could hear as he walked away.

The man waved as he walked, turned the corner and disappeared.

He stood in front of the glass for a few more minutes, then motioned at the nurse. 

She nodded and placed the baby back in the bassinet. Stripping off her mask and apron, she walked to the inner door. A few minutes later she appeared, white uniform and cap as stiff as ever, beside Bill.

“Can I see my wife now?” He said, still staring at his son. “He’s so tiny.”

“He’s a beautiful little boy,” she said. “Red hair and blue eyes.”

“Thanks.” Bill turned and beamed a smile her way.

“Nice and healthy too.”

“Fat.”

The nurse’s eyes went wide. “No. That’s not what—”

Bill’s smile never wavered. “I know. I’m just kidding.”

She put a hand to her cheek and smiled. “Oh, good. I thought I may have offended you or something.”

“It would take a lot more than that to insult me.” Bill’s lopsided smile faded. “My wife?”

“Oh dear, yes, of course.” Smiling, she turned and started off down the hall in the same direction the gap-toothed father of five girls had gone. “Right this way.” She motioned behind her retreating back. “Follow me.”