Ask a Finn (x2)

This month’s Ask a Finn features my two aunts, my mom’s two sisters: Aunt Diane & Aunt Carol.

My aunts are birthday buddies – they share the same August birthday, two years apart. Below they’ll share why they’re proud to be 100% Finnish & talk about what happiness looks like to them. Enjoy! 🙂

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Why are you proud to be Finnish? – Aunt Diane

Growing up with Finnish parents, I saw first-hand characteristics of what make up a true Finn, that term we recognize as sisu, meaning “a strength of will, determination, and perseverance, to overcome adversity.” And it is this sisu that makes me proud to be a Finn.

My father, Kauko, was a first generation Finn. He was born in Finland and came to the US as a young man. He left a comfortable life attending college to a place he didn’t know the language and had no work experience. My dad was determined to make it. He learned English, started a family and lived the American dream by buying a house and getting a job. He was so hardworking; he was an auto mechanic working long days often times in cold, challenging conditions. But he went to work every day, never complaining in order to provide for his family. My dad was also extremely proud and humble. He never looked for praise or glory and never put himself before us. My fondest memories growing up are sitting with him on a Saturday afternoon watching the Red Sox, his favorite Boston team. Then later when I went to college, my favorite memories are of him driving me back to Boston after I came home for the weekend and slipping me a twenty dollar bill and giving me a kiss on the cheek.

My mom, Barbara, is a 3rd generation Finn as her grandparents were born in Finland. My mother, now 89 years old, is resilient and hardworking. She worked many jobs throughout her life in order to provide for my siblings and myself. She made and sold doll clothes, silk flowers, and baby sweaters, all while working a full-time job. In addition, she still found time to volunteer, most memorably as a Rainbow Girl and Girl Scout Leader. My mom is not only creative and hardworking, but musically talented. Growing up, she sang at home and in the church choir.

It is these virtues of will, determination, and perseverance that my parents demonstrated and passed down to me that gave me the sisu I have relied on throughout my life. I am proud of being a Finn and proud when I see the sisu my daughters have and accomplishments they have made in their lives so far.

Why are you proud to be Finnish? – Aunt Carol

Olen ylpeä siitä, että olen suomalainen (translation: I am proud to be Finnish).

I am an American born Finn. I always knew I was Finnish. At home, my parents spoke Finnish daily. My maternal grandparents (nana and papa) and my great grandparents (vunha mummo and vunha pappa) lived nearby and they spoke Finnish exclusively. My paternal grandmother, who lived in Lake Worth, FL, primarily spoke Finnish. We called her Florida mummo. Many relatives lived nearby; when visiting, we were often served finnish coffee bread (pulla). We also went to the sauna at relatives’ homes… we “sweat out the negative in a sauna”.

I have fond memories of picking berries while playing at nana’s house. After collecting a lot of black and red raspberries, Nana would cook them into a berry soup (marja soppa); that was a topping for ice cream or rice pudding (riisipuuro). It was a delicious treat.

I also have fond memories of dancing at the Finnish American Cultural Club at Saima Park. “One, two, three hop” is forever engrained in my mind and feet.

Sisu is a word (a part of my deep self-esteem) meaning determination. All I have to do is think of my father, Kauko, and his love for his family and overcoming alcohol addiction, and I know I can overcome anything as well. My dad also came to the US from Finland in his twenties speaking no English!

I also have a deep respect for Finland. Finland is ethnically homogenous. The government takes care of its people. Winters are harsh. The housing first approach is eradicating homelessness and plans to end homelessness by 2027. Finland has the cleanest air in the world. Finns value nature – 75% of Finland is covered by trees. Nature is never far away and Finns feel happy in nature. Walking in the woods and the many national parks, cycling, cross-country skiing, and many weird sports (see below) are the Finnish-way.

Clean air, nature walks, work/life balance, education for all. I am proud to say I have Finnish DNA! And it’s the happiest place on earth!

“Unique” Finnish Sports

• Hobbyhorsing: Finland Hobby Horsing Championnship
• Wife carrying: Wife Carrying World Championship 2023
• Air Guitar Competitions: Air Guitar World Championship 2022 in Finland

What does happiness look like to you? – Aunt Carol

For me, happiness is self-directed; not seeking happiness, but allowing it.

Tools that help me stimulate happiness are diet and exercise. I find physical euphoria when biking, doing yoga, and walking in nature (also when traveling & seeing new places). I love group activities: pickleball, social events, mahjong are all activities that stimulate joy for me. I think it’s important to do what you like as often as you can.

I also need truthful connections to others. I enjoy helping others in small ways. A kind word, sharing, seeing a need and helping… Deeper connection is important to me, being a reliable person; however knowing when to ask for help is a balance. Unhappiness is okay sometimes too – sometimes you need a change. Hope is key – something to hope for is essential.

Happiness can be huge (looking at the Grand Canyon) and happiness can be small (a ladybug on a leaf). Both make you smile.

What does happiness look like to you? – Aunt Diane

Happiness to me is the joy I feel when I am with my family.

My husband, Mike, is a huge source of my happiness. Being married hasn’t always been roses and champagne, but he is my person and being with him makes me happy. We used to find enjoyment doing Saturday yard work together, going to mass, and then grabbing dinner. Sometimes we grabbed a show at a small, local theater. A lot of time was spent in gyms watching volleyball. At one time, happiness was simply sitting in a hospital room together watching whatever station the tv would get. Now, happiness is watching The Bachelor together and doing the NYT connection puzzle together before bed. It’s the little things. If you are happy doing those little things together, that’s true happiness.

My daughters are the light of my life. When they were young, I found so much pride and happiness watching them play volleyball and dancing on stage. Even the endless drives to practices were enjoyable, it gave time to talk and listen. Now that they are older and live on their own, happiness is talking with my daughter, Hallie, on her walk home from work and it is when Emily and I talk about wedding plans. One of my favorite things to do is when we all get together for a family dinner that Mike and I prepare – we eat and drink wine and just laugh and talk about life. We are now thrilled that both girls have found partners, it’s made our family bigger and that brings me joy.

And finally, I am so grateful for the relationships I have with my extended family – my mom, siblings, nieces and nephews, in-laws, and best friends. The time I spend with each of them is priceless. I believe it is due to the respect and love we have for one another and I get so much joy spending time with each and every one of them.

Happiness comes in many forms and at many times throughout life. But feeling happiness is a guarantee when I am with my family.

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Next up: Raffle time! First, we’ll announce the winner of the January raffle and then introduce the February raffle.e

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