DRYLANDER’S DREAM, BY A DRYLANDER’S GRANDDAUGHTER

  “Joannie Girlee” as told by her dear Mother, Esther on July 3, 1993

Fabricated and Filled by Joannie

            The heat from the sun burned down on the parched earth as Fredrick Hansen scanned his once green fields.  For years, he and his neighbors had tilled and toiled this prairie land on the North Eastern corner of Montana.

When these pioneers first began settling here, it was their Christian Faith that gave them courage and hope.  Just over the hill stood the high steeple of their beloved Church.  Pointing Heavenward, it was a beacon to look up, rather than down in the dust underfoot.

So it was at this place of worship that Fredrick and Johanna  gathered with their 13 children each Sunday.  Located just a ½ mile away, it was an extension of their busy home!  Often their friends and neighbors gathered in this white frame church to worship and fellowship.  Truly this was the center of their lives and rural Danish community!

So it was here  that this congregation served as a Mother Hen to all who needed covering of His gentle wings!’

Coming up in the summer was a greatly anticipated annual District Convention of the Danish Lutheran Church.  It was here that all gathered for inspiration and sharing.  These American Danes so enjoyed the opportunity to renew and make new friends.  These yearly gatherings were the highlights!  Also, it gave the congregations a chance to meet and hear the new men who were called into the ministry.  Truly, it was here that much of the Life of the Church was ignited and returned with those who were blessed to attend.

This year, 1925, Fredrick was so pleased to be named as delegate to represent his home church.  It carried a special meaning as it seemed as their lovely daughters grew up and left home, that it was to the Danish homes in Sidney they gravitated to work.

You see, Sidney was 100 miles South and ‘thru it ran a rich and fertile valley’ with that marvelous Yellowstone River!  Oh, the contrast!

As he prepared for this major trip, this pioneer farmer recalled an earlier dream.  He had heard about this new machine called an airplane and pondered on it.  Being an enthusiast for great ideas and possibilities, he contemplated how this could all be; in fact, one night he had a very special dream of riding on a plane!  For some reason, he was perched on the back tail!  He vividly recalls dragging his feet on the ground during take-off.  Then it was up, up and away!  He awoke with a start!  Could it ever really be?

So in his wakefulness, his daughters and sons often heard him share this awesome ‘experience.’  It became more ‘real’ each time their young hearts heard it!  It was as tho’ this dream actually helped their Father till and turn the dry land year after year with his team of horses.

So it was with great joy and anticipation that he kissed his wife and daughters good-bye that July 24 morning. Good neighbor and friend Mr. Louie Andersen was the other delegate.  Together these two dear friends would have a fine visit as they drove this long 100 miles in his fine Model A.  Even still, it took the better part of the day to get there.  The roads were rutted and a few flat tires were a part of any trip, but it was worth it.  These annual church conventions were such an inspiration!

Half-way down, was a fine place called Dane Valley.  It was here these two travelers thought they would make a call on the Larsen family.  Their home was perched on a high hill.  Ten miles to the South ran the Missouri River, so the scenery was outstanding!

As they drove up that Larsen Lane, it was lunchtime.  How glad they were to have these   friends stop in for ‘a little lunch’!  They were warmly welcomed and seated at their hospitable farm home.  After the blessing, the tasty stigt kylling, frikadeller, stiltede Rodbel and Rodgrad med Flode were served.  During the meal, they invited the young Larsen son, Immanuel, to accompany them on this exciting journey.

Of course, he would love to join them, as he had become acquainted with Fredrick’s fine young daughter, Edith.  Surely this would be a fine opportunity to hear some fine sermons, be inspired and get better acquainted!

Ahh, how good to finally arrive on the last long hill and see this astonishing plush green valley before their very eyes.  These dryland farmers had to pause at this high point and give thanks to their Lord for all His Goodness!  Then they joyfully proceeded down that last decline, into a waiting febrile valley!  Down in that hospitable place, two young daughters awaited the arrival of their dear Father!  There was a Luther League gathering at the church when they arrived.  After welcome hugs and greetings, they were handed a love gift from their dear Mother.  Inside were the tastiest Kringler and Medaljer.  Oh, what a joy to be re-united.  Young Immanuel waited his turn.  He was warmly welcomed too, especially by Edith!

How good to be together with all these Danes!  With Pastor C. E. Nielsen heading up this fine district meeting, you knew it was worth the long trip down to this wonderful place!

The theme for this year was ‘Let us give our best to America’.  Speakers were Rev. Hofgaard, Andrew Petersen, Rev. T.P. Beck, H.C. Ostergaard,  J. P. Christensen, Rev. A. P. Hansen and Rev. N. Damskov.  Why, with speakers like this, these four summer days would just so inspiring.  Among family and friends, is there anything more one could ask for?

Yes!  Much to their pleasure, these two girls who worked as mothers’ helpers had overheard how a barnstorming pilot had flown into the local airport just east of town.  With all these people attending this area-wide convention, this flyer thought there would be some who would like to try out this new machine!

Since planes were so new to everyone’s imagination, there were always a few would want to see this rich fruitful valley from a ‘more heavenly view’!

It was then that these two ambitious and thrifty daughters got their heads together.  “Remember the dream our Dad always told us…how he rode on the tail of the plane and dragged his feet, in that dream years ago?  Do you think we can save enough for the $5 ride.  Even though it’s just for 3 minutes, it will give our dear Dad a chance of a lifetime!”  Oh, what a thrill it was for Edith and Esther to save and savor this timely surprise1

So on the last day of the convention, all spirits were high as these girls gave their Dad the good news.  As the Model A made its way to the airport, the five passengers were talking excitedly!  Aviation was very new.  This possibility of the air ‘holding you up’ seemed almost unthinkable.  But after an uplifting convention, you kind of had one foot in Heaven, why not?

The courage of all present was evident.  Edith and Esther knew their Father well enough to know he’d be a richer person for it all. He always recalled that earlier dream of flying.  Surely God would go with him as he scanned the heavens and earth…only 3 minutes.

As the last one got out of the dusty car, Fredrick passed his fine Sunday hat to Immanuel.  A crowd of about 75, most conventioneers, had gathered.  “Who would ever pay $5 for such a thrill?”  Why, that’s enough to buy a month’s groceries!  As Esther handed the pilot his $5, it was with a prayer that he would return their dear Dad in the same condition that he left.  As they saw their Father step into his rear seat, their faith grew deeper!

What would their dear Mother think?  She was back on the home place taking care of their dry land farm.  But their courage ran deep!  They knew this experience would add to his earlier dream of long ago!

As the pilot gave the prop a mighty spin, the terrible noise and vibration made that plane come alive!  The on-lookers stepped back.  The pilot jumped in the front seat and grabbed the controls.  Both waved to the crowd.  Taxiing down the grassy runway was bumpier than expected.  Far back in the minds of the two young daughters came a tug, “We pray this ride ends well!”

The engine roared even louder as the little plane bumped and bounced along the ground.  When it finally lifted feebly into the air, barely missing a fence at the end of the field, the crowd gave a sigh of relief.  Louie Andersen bent his head a little more!

For the passenger in the back seat, his feet were no longer dragging!  In fact, for the first time in his life, his feet were earth-free!  Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined what he saw and felt!

All those on the ground looked Heavenward as they saw this plane grow smaller and smaller!  In the back seat, “the miracle of it all grew larger and larger!”  Fredrick soaked up this experience as though he wished time could stop!

The greenness of that Yellowstone River winding and curving lazily through this plush valley, was almost more than the eye could take in!  On the flats and shelves beside it were the richest fields he had ever seen.  As he looked off to the areas more than 20 miles from the river, he saw only dry land hills.  Oh, there was such a contract!  How good of God to put a river here!  For once, he could get an overview of his area!  Ahh, the glory of it all!!  A gift such as this can never be described!  Worlds fail to do it justice.  He was so grateful to his daughters to dream this dream!  Now all of his seemed a reality!

Meanwhile, on the ground, Immanuel’s fingers were tightening and whitening around the rim of the passenger’s hat.  Louie Andersen couldn’t bear to follow the dot in the sky!  Standing with head bowed, praying fervently, was his job!  After all, he had brot Fredrick, father of 13, down to this convention; it was his responsibility to get him back home in one piece.  How would he ever explain to wife Johanna?  There she was with all those little ones.  God, grant us Your peace and safety.

After a most glorious sample of flight, the 3 minutes came to an end too quickly!  The descent was awesome!  The fields, cars and now people grew suddenly larger.  Now Louie dared to peek to see if he still had a passenger to take back to Westby.  A sigh of relief swept over his soul as he witnessed that little plane come in for a bumpy landing.

As it rolled to a jouncing halt, Fredrick glanced over the side.  Now he had tasted Heaven!  Stepping out of that plane was a lighter person!  Somehow he had lost some of the burdens of dryland farming while he was 1000 feet up!  As Immanuel passed him his hat, the brim had the shape of his knuckles.  They all noticed a glow about this airstruck one!  He and Moses had a lot in common!  Oh the JOY of it all!

After hugging his daughters a grateful embrace, they knew without a doubt that this gift would last a Lifetime and then some!

Now the conversation in that Model A on the way back home was a whole lot livelier than 5 days ago!  My, how this convention had impressed all who attended; especially the one who left it and ‘became light as air!’

As they drove into the Hansen home late that evening, wife Johanna had the candle in the window to welcome back her beloved.  There were fresh aebleringe and floderandmed henkogte frugter on a red glass plate in the center of their large kitchen table.  Fresh coffee aroma filled the area by the cookstove,  Lennert and the (younger) girls had been a good help during their Dad’s absence.  There was so much to share!  She was especially wanting to hear how her two Sidney girls were doing.

Putting down his suitcase, he hugged his wife.  She could tell he had enjoyed a most wonderful time.  But what was all this talk about an airplane ride?  Was he dreaming again?  Oh, my, he would never be the same again!

You just can’t imagine how word traveled about this daring adventure. Seems it swept this dryland community with great excitement…to think that Fredrick Hansen had actually been up in ‘one of those flying machines!’….and lived to tell about it!

In fact, Mrs. P. C. Petersen, upon hearing this tale repeatedly, sighed as she poured a friend a cup of hot coffee, “Oh, let him fly!” (in Danish)

So it was that this drylander lived to see his dream come true.  From that flight on, part of him continued to fly!  Never again did the toil and tilling seem so difficult.  Having seen this beautiful Earth from God’s perspective broadened his view!

In fact 12 years later, he was asked to take another flight.  This one was to his Heavenly Home!  Only this time he was in the front seat!  The seat belt was His Lord’s loving arms.  The propeller was quieter: only the flapping of angels’ wings.  Ahh, its gentle vibrations moved toward that Land where Christ is on His Throne. Those in the room heard him worship, “All Wright!”

As he took this final earthly flight, he breathed a silent prayer and all his children and theirs and theirs would choose ‘to fly with our Lord’.  Oh the Joy when Christ is at the Controls!

Glossary (provided by Joann)

Nite…when it’s dark

Brot….as to bring

Enuf…not too much

Wright…those two brothers that welcomed Fredrick to God’s Hangar!

Danish Foods…fine cooking from our dear Mother’s (Esther) memory and kitchen

Errors…whenever Jo didn’t know the fact

Misspellings…four little children play at my feet as I type this…it’s not their fault!

Corrections…please adjust, change to your likings

Sketches…in the beginnings of this little project, I envisioned a sketch with each page but as Christmas got closer and 2 more little ones arrived, it got simpler and simpler!

I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into one of my Dear Mother’s memories.  Surely all of us have a whole host of them.  Please jot them down. Tell them to your children and theirs.  Like Garrison Keillor, our story is God’s gift to us!

— Joann

Note from Sharon: The event my cousin describes actually happened, but obviously she had to invent the details.  Joann and her pastor husband had children of their own and, in addition, adopted several  small Vietnamese boys in the 1970s.  She contacted our mother during that time, years after our father’s death,  to request permission to give each of their sons the middle name of Immanuel in recognition of my Dad’s life and faith.  She wanted these sons to know of the faith and life of such a man and to know that this faith and life could be their goal as well. Joann’s mother and my mother were two of eleven sisters.