I can't remember why I didn't post this after I wrote it, but I guess here it is now!
In August, we had a Johnson family reunion. I have always loved hearing stories about my relatives because I'm a nerd. Seriously, I loved reading biographies as a child. I suppose that would explain the history degree. Now that I'm all grown up (please keep the laughter to a minimum), I would like Tate to know about his heritage.
These are my great grandparents, Carl Erik and Helga. There is of course some family debate about how and when they came to the US from Sweden. Only one of their five children is still living. She is in her 90s; in fact, we celebrated her birthday at the reunion. One fact we do know is that my grandpa, Vide aka Papa, was made in Sweden and born in the U.S, in 1911.
In August, we had a Johnson family reunion. I have always loved hearing stories about my relatives because I'm a nerd. Seriously, I loved reading biographies as a child. I suppose that would explain the history degree. Now that I'm all grown up (please keep the laughter to a minimum), I would like Tate to know about his heritage.
These are my great grandparents, Carl Erik and Helga. There is of course some family debate about how and when they came to the US from Sweden. Only one of their five children is still living. She is in her 90s; in fact, we celebrated her birthday at the reunion. One fact we do know is that my grandpa, Vide aka Papa, was made in Sweden and born in the U.S, in 1911.
The last of the "ancients" Ollie with Tate last December.
L to R clockwise: Vide, Carl Erik, Arne, Helga and Rune
Carl Erik became the sole owner of what is still the family business, Johnson Sheet Metal, in 1921. My dad is now the owner. Austin and I are the 4th generation Johnson's to work in the family business. It is very rare that in today's world to find a company that has survived through that many generations. Here's me in 1979 in a piece that they fabricated.
When Johnson's get together, you can guarantee it is going to be a loud event. Maybe it comes from working in family machine shop business. It has been said that my Papa couldn't hear a word you said until you went to the back of the shop and then he heard every word. Although earplugs are a lot more common now, I almost swear my dad is the same way! Sometimes it's hard to get anyone's attention in the back of the shop because both my dad and brother have their ipods on and are wearing earplugs too.
I had the best time Saturday night after the reunion. What is a reunion without a little trash talk at the end?! "Don't you think cousin so-and-so looks like Herman Munster?" "How many times has she been married?" "Can you imagine living with cousin what's-his-name?" We were laughing so hard we were crying.
We laughed so hard tears ran down our legs! xoxo
ReplyDelete