Take on me...

(Original Post Date May 1)

Tonight as I was turning off the tv sound system, the radio came on by accident with a song from the 80’s called "Take On Me". Remember the video? A hand from a cartoon dimension reaches out to a lady of human dimensions and both worlds unite? I stood there amazed remembering Bergen.

I met a wonderful Norwegian man when I lived near Venice, two years into our relationship he asked me to move to Norway for a few months and I did. One day, the song “Take On Me” by A-Ha came on. He stopped to look at the radio and laughed saying; “Their English is awful! This isn’t English it’s Norwegian!”. I said that it sounded pretty good to me. He explained that A-Ha is from Norway, and lost in translation is the fact that in Norwegian “take on me” means “Reach out to me” or "touch me".

One day I tried to close the windows since it was dark and snowing outside. He seemed frustrated but patiently explained “You always need fresh air. Why would you want to close the windows or close the blinds? Closing the blinds to us is like trying to keep the world out, that’s why you always see open windows and open doors. Anyone can just walk in, it’s okay… "

So, as I stood in the bedroom and looked out I stared at the maze of windows in front of me. People having dinner. People sleeping. People kissing. People studying. Likewise, I’m sure they saw me! Norwegian winter brought 21 hour nights, and 3 hours days and we kept our windows open and our lights on. I pretended I had privacy and proceeded to let the world into my life and share my life to the world…

Now I live in the United States, and a few days ago I opened a few windows to get some fresh air. Through instinct I closed all of them but a small one way up high. It was 7 feet up, and no one could see inside, but I could still get fresh air. To my surprise, a neighbor who I’ve never met before, and never spoke to before knocked on my door. She was biting her nail looking concerned and apologetic. She said “I'm sorry, but did you know that you have a window open? I was walking to my backyard and thought, Oh my goodness, I wonder if they realize it!” I thanked her. In disbelief I remembered what my ex had said. He would have been shocked at the fact that a neighbor actually came over and was concerned enough to ask me to close the window.

Americans hear “take me on” and tend to close their windows, thereby closing the world…

Norway hears “reach out to me” and open their widows, refusing to keep the world out...

I miss the world in my life, I really do… I wish a hand from another dimension would reach out to me kindly caring to know mine.