Per Söderlund, known by many as Pelle, was the kind of person who you would never forget after meeting him. He was a great husband, father and friend. He is one of the wisest and funniest Swedes I have ever encountered in my life.
I’ve known Pelle since the October 5th, 1990, the first day I arrived in Umeå, Sweden.
As Pelle and family’s neighbor in Umeå, I remember the many days of long chats and walks with Pelle, Lisa, and their dog Milly - a lovely, long-haired dog who actually ate (and loved) the veggies I cooked. On those occasions, Pelle often talked about his football activities, his love of music, the book he was reading or his coming travel plans. They were the people in the whole world who introduced me to the game Monopoly. Since I had never been exposed to concepts like properties, collaterals, or assets during my growing up in Mainland China, it took me years to finally realize what he was trying to teach me through the game.
Pelle was a caring gentleman, a great friend and a patient mentor. Both he and Lisa were always there when I needed to borrow a shoulder to cry on or an ear to bend. He is a man generous with both his time and knowledge. As serious as most Swedes, Pelle could be very funny. As a matter of fact, he had a rare knack for telling hilarious jokes.
When we were neighbors, there was a beautiful pond not far from our Lägenhet building. It was home to a bunch of wild ducks. I often went there to watch them during my study breaks. I remember one evening in a late autumn, when I found all the ducks were mysteriously gone. I asked Pelle, “Where did those duck go?” Pelle looked at me puzzled, and decided not to answer my question directly. Instead, he asked: “Qi, are you a city girl or a country girl?” I answered, “City girl, I guess.” Pelle replied, “Alright then. Those ducks moved to Stockholm.” Confused, I asked, “How?” Pelle answered with a smirk. “Well, they went there by buses.”
Pelle will be greatly missed by his friends. I will be forever grateful for knowing him in my life. His wisdom, his dignity, his kindness and his humor would keep reminding me: life is short, live the fullest.
Let us live life to the fullest like Pelle did.
Goodbye, Pelle. Goodbye, my friend.
Mona Feng (冯琦) is an educational counsellor who lives and works in Richmond Hill. Before she immigrated to Canada, she had studied in Sweden. |