Unexpected Company

There's an old saying that truth is better than fiction. Well, I was told the most fascinating story the other day. This story has to do with a funeral and a secret that unexpectedly came out.

During the late 1800's a man from Sweden decided to immigrate to the United States. This was not uncommon given the year, as the United States meant freedom, prosperity and an endless number of other things. So this man comes to America. He brings with him his new wife and they settle down in a suburb. Not an uncommon story. Well, as I said - truth is better than fiction. For this is just the condensed version of the story.

Before I continue, I want to advocate researching your ancestors and discovering more about what your family is all about. The following is the compelling reason.

During the funeral of this Swedish man, a stranger approached the widow and asked, "Are you planning on letting his other family know he's dead?" The widow seemed unshaken. No so for the rest of the family.

As it turns out, before he left Sweden, he had been married for several years to another woman. She was pregnant with her ninth child when he decided to immigrate to America. She delivered the ninth child alone and lived another 18 months in sorrow and anguish. She eventually died - many believe of a broken heart.

After her death, the nine children were then sold to various people to pay off the debts of the family. The home the man had built was also sold and eventually relocated.

The family members were so disgusted with their father, and grandfather's behavior that he was seldom spoken of again here in America. In contrast, he became quite a legend in the small village in Sweden. Many stories have been passed down from father to son.

A single member of the family, however, was so intrigued by the story that she decided to do some more investigating. Now you have to understand something about this woman, she is very quiet and shy. She's never been out of her State. She is close to being what some may call an introvert. But she was compelled to find out more about this first wife. Her children watched in awe as she boarded a plane for Sweden. She doesn't speak Swedish, she doesn't even know where she is going to start looking for this woman. She believes she will start knocking on doors and find what she's after.

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