Death plays a part in how we look at and approach and pursue our destiny. My Swedish Grandma Maja taught me many profound life lessons. Some of her teaching was done by storytelling. Some lessons she taught by example. Maja taught me the value of thoughtful decisions make for good choices I like the illustrationContinue reading “Swedish Adventure & Destiny”
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Ball of String Memories: Hard Times Resilience 1929-1949
I was so inspired by my Swedish grandmother’s struggles during the Great Depression and how she responded to adversity challenges as an immigrant I wrote a book about her. She is my hero. Most people know that once immigrants arrive in a new land they will face tough times. During the years 1948-1969 I spentContinue reading “Ball of String Memories: Hard Times Resilience 1929-1949”
Swedish American Toughness Built on Strong Roots
My Swede Grandmother made a big decision by coming to America in 1922. She initially came just for a visit and looking for adventure. She stayed, quickly finding romance. And as they say, the rest is history. Her Swedish roots would grow an American dream that would be severely tested. Before 1900. Maja’s father’s brotherContinue reading “Swedish American Toughness Built on Strong Roots”
Swedish Women’s Hats: Simple Elegance
1948-1969 represents a time when I fell in love with everything about my very Swedish Grandmother, including her hats. I hope you enjoy a short journey exploring My Maja, as I focus on highlighting her stylish hats and reveal some family history. Grandma Maja was impressive in many ways. How I wish I would haveContinue reading “Swedish Women’s Hats: Simple Elegance”
Working Swedish Widow Mom-Chicago 1933
My mother was not born in Sweden, yet she claimed to be a Swedish immigrant. Delores Wittenstrom, eldest daughter of Maja Källgren Wittenstrom arrived in New York in 1933 on the M/S Kungsholm after a 10 day crossing of the Atlantic from Goteborg Sweden. She spoke only Swedish, she said, having forgotten how to speakContinue reading “Working Swedish Widow Mom-Chicago 1933”
More Than Tombstones: Time Will Tell-What?
Generally speaking I am not one who makes a practice of going to cemeteries. I recall I reluctantly went along for the ride with my family. I have special memories going to the cemetery with my grandmother as we stood over tombstones. We typically went on a Sunday afternoon. As a child I probably asked,Continue reading “More Than Tombstones: Time Will Tell-What?”
Living Up To Ancestry Traditions: More than DNA
My grandmother Maja’s favorite story was telling me about assisting at the amputation of a soldier’s leg during nursing training in Sweden after WWI. Imagine my encountering a military museum surgery display in Harnasond Sweden depicting that same scene? Shock. Maja’s rite of passage story told in detail in my book, My Maja A Grandson’sContinue reading “Living Up To Ancestry Traditions: More than DNA”
Grit Creates Mosaic Artist Opportunities from Broken Life Experiences
The Great Depression helped test my Swedish American immigrant widow grandmother’s character in order to prove her grit. In the end, we admirers inquired over and over, “How did you do it?, How did you manage? It took me 16 years of research and a book writing process to discern a satisfying answer. Grandma MajaContinue reading “Grit Creates Mosaic Artist Opportunities from Broken Life Experiences”
Weaving Together Our Swedish Family History, Culture, & Traditions
This blog is the first in a series dealing with the topic of preserving family history . We shall be considering various options. We intend to actively celebrate our unique family culture and traditions by sharing them and preserve them for the future. Here in this BLOG is a proposed meeting place for those withContinue reading “Weaving Together Our Swedish Family History, Culture, & Traditions”
Move On: Getting Unstuck Using Gumption
Grandma Maja like many immigrants had many times of her life that required her to take the initiative and gumption and move on as a way to advance and make progress. It took special heaping amounts of gumption to take charge of her life when her young husband fell at her feet suffering a fatalContinue reading “Move On: Getting Unstuck Using Gumption”
Maja's Blessings 