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Jim McCrory

Their is Something about Norway That Captured My Heart

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In the early spring of 1999, I found myself walking the streets of Stavanger, a Norwegian city that had captured my imagination long before I ever arrived. For me, this was more than just a trip; it was the realization of a dream that had begun years earlier in a classroom in Scotland. Back then, I was a boy, unaware of the world beyond my small town, until one day, my music teacher introduced me to something extraordinary.

It was the Peer Gynt Suite that first sparked my fascination. As the music swirled around me, I was transported to a place of towering mountains and deep fjords, where the figure of Peer Gynt seemed to come alive. The melody was full of life and adventure, stirring something deep within me. Soon, I was at the library, eager to learn more. That’s when I discovered Edvard Grieg, whose music, rich with Norwegian folklore, spoke to me like nothing else. "In the Hall of the Mountain King" was especially captivating—the crescendo, the trolls, the excitement—it all felt like stepping into another world.

From then on, Norway became a land of dreams for me. I imagined its rugged beauty, ancient legends, and the people who lived among the fjords. Like Peer, I felt a restless yearning, a desire to explore and find meaning. Norway called to me, and I promised myself I would go there one day. I had no idea that this dream would come true in 1999.

Living in Stavanger fulfilled everything I had hoped for. The city, nestled between mountains and the North Sea, felt both modern and timeless. As I wandered its cobbled streets each day, I felt a deep connection to the land and its stories. It wasn’t just the striking landscapes—the fjords reaching endlessly or the bright summer skies—it was the sense of myth and history that seemed to permeate the very air. There was a quiet magic about it, a hum that reminded me of Grieg’s music and the spirit of Peer Gynt.

The natural beauty around Stavanger felt almost enchanted. The mountains rose like ancient fortresses, and during my solitary walks, I often thought of the trolls and the childhood tales that had once captivated me. Here, they didn’t feel distant at all. I would sit for hours by the fjords, listening to the wind echoing through the valleys, almost expecting to hear Grieg’s melodies accompanying the scene. Norway had a way of making the line between reality and myth blur.

But it wasn’t just the landscapes that made the year so special—it was the people. Norwegians had a deep sense of connection to their history and land. Their simplicity and quiet strength resonated with me. There was a humility about them, a quality that reminded me of the Christian values I held dear. Despite their reserved nature, there was a shared understanding of life’s deeper truths, and I felt a kinship with them.

Now, as I sit and reflect on that peaceful year, I find myself transported back to those moments, but not just as the man I am today. It’s as though I see myself in three stages: the wide-eyed boy, first discovering the magic of Peer Gynt; the man living his dream in 1999, exploring Norway’s landscapes; and the person I am now, reliving it all through memories. These moments are bittersweet, a mixture of joy and nostalgia, knowing that time has passed but the memories remain vivid.

If you happen to find yourself in Stavanger, perhaps wandering through its Old Town tonight, give a nod for old times' sake. Somewhere in those streets, I’m still walking, forever connected to the boy, the man, and the memories of all that Norway once gave me.


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Jim McCrory

You Have a Year to Live, What Will you Do With It?

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Edited by Jim McCrory, Wednesday, 14 Aug 2024, 08:29


"Life is a journey where the destination is predetermined." 

Jim McCrory


Image kindly provided by Jack at https://unsplash.com/@jack_anstey


“There’s a young man inside me.

 He has followed me around all his life.

 His age, I do not know, but 

he is always there

 He comforts me

 and his presence 

convinces me

 God has eternity in view for me” 

 

Last Autumn I went through some medical examinations. It came the day to see the consultant for the results.

My wife and I read a scripture that morning as we do every morning. It was Psalm 91: 1,2:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.’

I will say to the Lord, “You are my refuge and my fortress,

My God, in whom I trust.”

I said to my wife, “we are going to get bad news today.” She agreed with a pensive look on her face. God had often given us messages through the scriptures that were specific. God continues to speak as he has always spoken, but at times, the right verse miraculously lands in our lap when needed.

And sure enough, cells in the prostate that served me faithfully, turned hostile and have created a rebellion in the pancreas and liver and who knows where else.

The consultant, a kind Asian man, who seemed worried that I never received the full impact of the diagnoses said, “You are very bravado about this?”

“There’s a young man inside me. He has followed me around all his life. His age, I do not know, but he is always there. He comforts me and his presence convinces me God has eternity in view for me,” I replied.

We came home that day and read the whole of Psalm 91 and felt a great sense of comfort. I have no sensation of what the Germans call torschlusspanik, that awareness that the doors are closing in on me. No, I wake with a miraculous feeling of peace that only comes from God and Christ.

Contentment and Gratitude

The first thing was the need to create space. When it gets around that you have a terminal illness, many you have known from the past want to speak to you. As a solitary person who needs space to reflect and organise life, that came first. There are matters to consider. Passing on family photos and other documentation. Arranging a cremation. Sorting out the will and countless other matters that other’s need to respect. I recall when my first wife was dying with cancer that dealing with those who wanted some space with her became exhausting to the point that she needed protection whilst convalescing. It is a reminder to all that whilst in favourable season, that is the time for goodness,

Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due,

when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

Proverbs 3:27 (WEB)

The year will be up next month. Who knows what the following year will bring. Sure, the side effects of hormone injections hamper life somewhat with the tiredness, intrusive thoughts, dry eye and other discomforts,  but there is one thing for sure, my wife and I have not lost our joy. We are grateful for what we have accomplished in the past year. We have had a rich summer staying in Scotland’s fine places and camping and meeting interesting people whom we have shared our faith with.

Exercise and nature have restorative powers. This is important as cancer and stress are not harmonious bedfellows. Therefore, I carefully guard my peace and cherish it.

I still enjoy my book group and reading. I also start the day writing something positive. I don’t like the current way the world is changing. I like to create my own world by writing what is good and upbuilding.

And like the ancient cave painters who embedded their handprints, writing leaves a legacy as to who I am and that I was here. Life is a journey, but we can determine the destination.

When a man dies, will he live again?

All the days of my hard service I will wait,

until my renewal comes.

Job 14:14 (BSB).

"Renewal", a wonderful concept.


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