by revisiting the past
I wonder how many bloggers go back over their archives and get lost rereading old posts? I’ve been doing that a lot since the blog redesign went up for I’ve had to check for certain funky things going on, such as with the formatting of the text. Of course, I end up reading everything, quite self-absorbed creature that I seem to be! With eight years of archives, I’ve only touched on a fraction, and it’s distracting me from ‘real’ work. They are a mixed bag with a few little treasures for me personally, rather like delving into old diaries and photo albums.
One of these is the above photo of my five-year-old self previously published here. It’s probably the best picture of me in my longish life, I think, so I’ve decided to place it here in honour of my birthday yesterday. As I get older, birthdays do seem to trigger some revisiting of the past, of remembering family and friends now gone or with whom we have lost touch. And feeling blessed by those who are still near and dear to us.
February 12, 2012 in Blogging by Marja-Leena
Herzliche Glückwünsche zum Geburtstag, Marja-Leena!! I shall drink a pint of Porter brewed to a recipe from 1750 in your honour! Forthwith! ♪♫
Congratulations!
So there is a happy looking very young Finnish immigrant girl? You’ve been in Canada for one year, right?
Of course it is true, as we get older, we want to remember our starting of the life. For my last B-day I went to Stockholm and got a great tour of my former home city as a present.
I was working there, as the lowest of the low immigrant to earn the money for university studies. Never learned to know any Swede. We kinda didn’t exist. But that was in the 60’s, it’s possible that people who didn’t move forward (for instance to America), have now children and grandchildren who are not anymore despised.
I know. I’ve heard that Canada was much more gentle place for most immigrants.
I hope someone made a great big cake for today! A kind, that you would like!
Rouchswalwe, Danke schön! I wish I could have a taste of that Porter.
Ripsa, the photo was taken in Finland a little before we emigrated to Canada. I think immigrants have challenges everywhere, especially if they don’t know the language of the country they have moved to. Nowadays there are more programs to assist newcomers while there were none when we came. We had some help from the established Finnish community but it was a difficult time at first from the stories I heard.
You were a beautiful child and are a beautiful adult, Marja-Leena. Happy birthday and many more, with lots more creative work to come.
Natalie, I don’t know about ‘beautiful adult’ but many thanks for the good wishes.
Most adorable, and a very happy birthday with many jolly returns of the day.
I have something like that hanging in my office–a picture that was in my father’s office. Blue cat glasses, bangs, and braids!
Marly, thanks! I’d like to see that photo of you, in braids too!
You certainly were a very lovely and engaging little girl. I hope you’ve enjoyed the best of birthdays with many more to come.
I love that picture. And Happy belated Birthday. Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day, while I’m at it!
Susan, thanks ever so much!
Hattie, thanks for everything! I’m just working on my Valentine’s/Friendship post….
Kommea dyty…
Black Pete! Ah… komea tyttö… kiitos!!
Superb post – once again!