A Legacy

Today is International Human Rights Day is celebrated around the world.  The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on December 10, 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - the first global enunciation of human rights.

A theme is chosen every year.  This year recognizes the work of human rights defenders worldwide who act to end discrimination.
What is a human rights defender?

“Human rights defender is a title each and every one of us can earn. It is not a role that requires a professional qualification. What it depends on is regard for our fellow human beings, an understanding that we are all entitled to the full range of human rights and a commitment to seeing that ideal become a reality.” Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

I must admit that I have never read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights until now and I encourage everyone to at least check out the United Nations website (http://www.un.org/) and broaden your horizons a bit.  The Declaration begins with a preamble consisting of seven paragraphs.  I am only going to include the first paragraph as this first paragraph by itself is a powerful statement. 

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world

Such a powerful statement by itself as is the rest of the preamble and the Declaration.  Amazingly, as the 62nd year is celebrated today, there remain many struggles for even the simplist of human rights.

The 60s and 70s when I grew up had some significant turbulent times for us as a nation.  There was the assassination of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Robert Kennedy...all strong advocates for Civil Rights. 

There was the Vietnam War that invaded nightly on the evening news where multitudes of atrocities were inflicted.  I can remember sitting at the kitchen table every night for supper and being glued to the endless news reports on the war in Vietnam and just being numb as I could not comprehend why any of this was happening. 

Yes, we sat together as a family for most meals and the kitchen table, in many ways, was the heart of our family...our central gathering place for meals, discussions, homework, coffee and so forth.

But growing up on a farm in southeastern North Dakota I was sheltered and quite removed from the turbulent times.  I cannot say I grew up in a predominately white area.  There was nothing predominate about it...that's just what it was.  Differences in ethnicity were defined by one's heritage...mine being predominately Norwegian.  And yet as secluded and sheltered my childhood was my parents instilled in me the virtues of being honest, play fair and to respect others first.  To treat others as you would want to be treated and a hand shake was worth as much weight as any signed agreement. 

It has been many years since I sat at that chrome table in the old farmhouse where I grew up.  I have only my memories to bring me back to those times.  Not even the foundation of that house is in existence today but the foundation my parents instilled in me carries on and I strive to exemplify those to all I meet in my life in who I am and by my actions.  I really don't remember of taking a moment in time to thank mom and dad for the foundation they gave me but I try to honor their legacies in my everyday life.

Thanks mom & dad for your humanity, your love and kindness...miss you lots.

"The time is always right to do what is right."  Martin Luther King, Jr.

Please Pass The Lefse

Today is Anna's Day in Sweden.  It is a day that celebrates all people named Anna and marks the day to start the preparation of making lutefisk to be consumed on Christmas Eve.  Yes...lutefisk. 

The origin of lutefisk is unknown.   Somehow I am not surprised that no one would own up to being the inventor but growing up in a Norwegian community and being 1/2 Norwegian myself (dad was 100% Norskie) lutefisk in my mind came from Grandma's house or one of the many small local churches of the area that would have one of their popular fund raisers, the lutefisk dinner, during the holiday season.  I only remember mom making lutefisk for dad once and the house had an 'aroma' about it for days after which is probably why I only remember mom making it once. 

What really is lutefisk?  Well, it's typically dried white fish (or for Norwegians cod) that is first soaked in water for 5-6 days.  After this initial soaking the fish is soaked in a cold water and lye mixture for several days.  Yes...I said lye which made no sense to me growing up as that was the caustic laundry soap mom would use to get out the worst stains.  Never fear though...it is then soaked in plain water for another 4-6 days to make it edible.  At least lutefisk aficionados will tell you it is edible...I, myself, disagree with the 'experts.'

Why would anyone soak something you were supposed to eat in lye?  Still does not make sense to me and I have to admit I have not nor probably never will be a follower of the tradition of lutefisk.  But it was a tradition none the less and whenever I see an advertisement now during the holiday season for some church having a lutefisk/swedish meatball dinner I have to chuckle as it seems they decided that offering two main items would have a bigger draw.  I don't rush to these dinners...never have and probably never will but, rest assured, if I did it wouldn't be for the lutefisk.

Garrison Keillor in his book Lake Wobegon Days might say it best (from my perspective):

"Every Advent we entered the purgatory of lutefisk, a repulsive gelatinous fishlike dish that tasted of soap and gave off an odor that would gag a goat. We did this in honor of Norwegian ancestors, much as if survivors of a famine might celebrate their deliverance by feasting on elm bark. I always felt the cold creeps as Advent approached, knowing that this dread delicacy would be put before me and I'd be told, "Just have a little." Eating a little was like vomiting a little, just as bad as a lot."

As for me...you can keep the lutefisk but pass the lefse my way!!

Lucy is Enceinte?

Enceinte:  Used in the adjective form the origin is French from Old French, ultimately from Latin inciens meaning pregnant.

The year was 1952...I have no recollection of the event as it would be years before I was born.  But on this day the television show I Love Lucy became the first show to make an acknowledgement of pregnancy in it's December 8th episode 'Lucy is Enceinte.'  Interestingly enough CBS would not allow the cast members to use the word pregnant...instead they could only use the word expecting.

Times have definitely changed for all of us.  The word pregnant now pales in comparison to some of the terms thrown about in today's world for someone who is expecting.  I couldn't begin to start listing all of the different words used today.

But today what overshadows all of history's moments for my generation was John Lennon's senseless killing by a deranged fan 30 years ago in 1980.  As a junior in college this act of violence was apalling to me...it was the talk of the dorm that day and for days after.  We could not comprehend why someone would take the life of a reknowned peace activist...a man who had a hand in shaping many of our young lives through his music and actions.  May he rest in peace.

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Side Note:  Today is Mother's Day in Panama

Lest We Forget

December 7, 1941 is a day in infamy. 

The first strike at Pearl Harbor happened at 7:53 a.m.- the second at 8:55.  By 9:55 it was all over. 

2,403 dead -188 destroyed planes - 8 damaged or destroyed battleships.

I have no comparisons in my life to even begin to identify with the horror and terror experienced by those who were there on that day.  Nor can I imagine the sacrifices each American made for the 'war effort' back home.

Every once in a while mom would talk some of those days.  Mom was just 11 years old when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened.  She would talk about how they would pull down the window shades at night so that no light could reflect outside of their house in fears of a bombing raid.  I never could quite understand why they would fear that living on a farm in northwest Minnesota as it just did not make sense to me that they would be targeted versus a major city but it was the thought process of the day.

They would scrimp and safe on everything.  Old machinery long past their useful days were gathered for scrap iron.  Shortages of everything was experienced by most in this country.  Mom would tell of how someone in the family had gone into Canada and were amazed to see many of the items readily available that they couldn't get in the U.S. - silk nylons, tires & cake flour were the three items she usually mentioned. 

They smuggled some cake flour back across the border and she never did figure out how one of the neighbor ladies found out about that when she came over and asked to borrow some flour.  I imagine they gave her some but don't recall if they did or not but knowing mom I could not fathom them turning away anyone as mom never seemed to do that when we were growing up.  She had a very tender heart - you just had to get past the outside shell.

Tom Brokaw called them the Greatest Generation.  The losses suffered were astronomical.  By war's end 408,439 service members gave their lives in the war.  Of those in our family that served we were the fortunate ones - they all came home.  There were close calls...dad's brother Ray was a gunner in the Pacific Islands and the day after he was relieved that person was killed manning that gun post.  I wish I knew more about the trials and tribulations of the war through my relatives' eyes but they are now all gone and the stories and memories are lost.

16,112,566 members of the armed services in World War II

As of September 2009 approximately 2,079,000 American vets from this era were alive.  Approximately 850 World War II veterans die each day with the medium age being 86.

Today...take a moment to remember those who served this country in World War II.

...lest we forget

'Minnie-isms'

Coming up with a 'catchy' name for a blog really doesn't seem my forte' so I decided to use a 'Minnie-ism.'  Some of you will be thinking 'what the h***' is she talking about and those of you who knew mom probably will grin and instantly come up with some other 'Minnie-ism' she would have said.  Mom was notorious for her sayings and since she has passed I have chuckled more than once when one of them pops into my mind which has helped ease the pain of her no longer being here with us.

To say mom was a character would be no stretch of the truth by any means.  Just take a look at the picture above of her and I think you can get the idea though this wasn't one of her favorite pictures as she thought she had too many wrinkles...I, myself, think of them as character lines and mom was a character to say the least.

So...this is the first post...nothing exciting or earth shattering nor cutting edge but it's a start.  So I will close with yet another 'Minnie-ism' mom borrowed from Linda Ellerbee years ago...

...and so it goes.