New Year/New Start
Jan 1st 2008
Claudia DainGoddess Classics
My grandfather was born in Sweden in the 1890s. When he was 18 years old, he kissed his mother good-bye, hitched a ride to the coast, and climbed on a boat bound for New York. He never saw his parents again.
He didn’t speak English. He was one of the many children of a farmer. He had no skills to sell. He had his health and he had the will to succeed. He landed at Ellis Island and found work in Manhattan. He and another Swede fresh off the boat decided to see America. They worked their way west. They worked as itinerant farm labor. They worked in factories when they could. They slept where they could, in cheap dives or in the farmer’s barn.
They worked until they got all the way to Los Angeles. My grandfather loved Los Angeles, but he didn’t stay there. He worked his way back to New York because my 
grandmother finally said she’d marry him. She was a Swede who’d come to America as a teen to make a new life in a new country, a another child of a farmer, another risk taker. They had three children, three American children who never heard them speak a word of Swedish. They were Americans now, living the American dream.
My grandfather worked the night shift in a factory as a machinist. He was never out of work, even during the Depression. His was the first family on his street of fellow Swedish immigrants to have a car. He put his three kids, all born in the 1920s, through college. When one of his kids, my mom, moved to Los Angeles, he and my grandmother packed up and moved there, too. He was in his mid-50s. He got a job at a factory as a machinist, day shift. He worked there for more than twenty years.
I’ve been thinking about my grandfather a lot lately. He was so willing to look at his life and decide that he wanted something else. He was willing to leave everything he knew, even abandoning his own language, to find what he was looking for. I asked him once how he felt about leaving Sweden, leaving everything he knew and loved. He smiled and said, “There was nothing for me there.”
How brave am I? How willing am I to admit that there’s nothing for me here; in this job, in this town, in this relationship? I want to be that brave. I want to be brave enough to look for what I want. I want to embrace my choices, never looking back, always looking forward, ready for the next chance to achieve a dream.
What do you want for 2008? What are you willing to do to make it happen?
46 Comments »
46 Responses to “New Year/New Start”
ilovetoread on 01 Jan 2008 at 5:23 am #
I really enjoyed your story about your grandfather. It can really make you think about your own life and where you’ve neglected being your own person.
I know that I have failed myself over the years, but I hope to make changes in 2008. For starters, I spend yesterday getting a new drastic change for hairstyle, picked up a couple of items to encourage me taking my health more seriously, and enjoyed the fact that my family doesn’t have to have me with them at all times to have some fun. I wanted to try to start things fresh today (1-1). There are other things that I made decisions on yesterday which I hope to accomplish fairly soon.
pri.r. on 01 Jan 2008 at 5:31 am #
i 2nd ILTR’s comment, that was a nice blog Claudia and it really did make me think about things, the story kept me nodding away with interest and understanding up until the last line when you said “what do you want for 2008?” you left me stumped.
somedays i don’t have a clue what i want, other days i’ll have a vague notion of it, so you can see why i’m having a little trouble getting to terms with the idea of what i want for a WHOLE year, let alone the next day.
cont.
pri.r. on 01 Jan 2008 at 5:33 am #
but ….. i did make a new year’s resolution, which i think is the closest canswer i can come to for your perplexing question. at 1:23am this morning i decided that 2007 was ok, but there were times when i felt like crap, for lack of better description. and you know what, if there’s anything i’ve learnt these past few years it’s that YOUR the only person who can control how you feel. so in the interest of achieveing something this year i wrote ( in my diary :P) to:
Make the most of every moment, make the most of life. Just. Be. Happy.
maybe i set my goals too high… but, i think this year it’s needed. i need to challenge myself a little more. what about the rest of you? what is your new year’s resolution? do you not have one? if so why? i’m interested.
Lisa H on 01 Jan 2008 at 8:46 am #
Claudia - what you wrote about is very deep and very beautiful. My heritage is simaler to yours, except my grandparents came here from Italy. I am often amazed at their inner strength to leave their families at such young ages and go to a land they really knew very little of with very little money and no real job skills.
I hope to be as strong and adventurous as they were, yet responsibilites of middle age sometimes seem to hinder…but your point is well made…If we want something bad enough, we can work hard to make it happen.
Thank you for giving me something substantial to contemplate today…
Judy F on 01 Jan 2008 at 9:17 am #
Claudia your story was amazing. What strength of character they both had.
What I want for 2008?? Better Health and less worry.
Setting some personal goals and sticking to them. I tend to let people walk all over me and that is going to stop.
twolilhahas on 01 Jan 2008 at 9:17 am #
I love that story. Beautiful. What I want for 2008 is simple. I want my kids and family to be happy and healthy, to be able to keep my job, and to deliver this baby naturally with no complications. If those things happen, I’ll have a good year.
I made no New Year’s resolution. I never do. I’m too stubborn.
I hope everyone has a great New Year’s Day today. Eat lots of black-eyed peas and collard greens.
Sabrina Jeffries on 01 Jan 2008 at 10:06 am #
Great story, Claudia! My aim for this year is to make better use of my time. To watch less TV and spend more time with family. And to get healthy. Here’s hoping that we ALL have a fulfilling New Year!
elsiehogarth on 01 Jan 2008 at 10:36 am #
Claudia, what a beautiful story! All I can really ask for myself, family and friends is to be healthy and happy because 2007, for me, saw 4 deaths of very dear and loved family members and a wonderful friend. So it has been a bit rough. I welcome the New Year with lots of positive thoughts, for everyone, to help them along with their resolutions.
Happy New Year to all the Goddess out there.
Claudia Dain on 01 Jan 2008 at 10:52 am #
Happy New Year, fellow goddesses!
I’m so glad you liked my story about Granddaddy. He was an amazing man.
I don’t think you have to want big things for yourself, but I think that if you want something else, something different, you should give yourself permission to pursue it. So many people hate their jobs or their apartments. We just get used to tolerating it, to adjusting our lives around our circumstances.
Whenever I feel that way, I think of my grandparents. They were willing to change countries to get what they wanted! Don’t I have the energy to find a new job? LOL
Just food for thought. What is it about the New Year that makes me philosophical?
Gannon on 01 Jan 2008 at 11:31 am #
Thanks so much, Claudia, for sharing your grandparents’ story. I can’t imagine leaving my family and all that’s familiar to move to another country at such a young age. Our ancestors had such courage and conviction. I can only hope some of it was passed on!
My wants for 2008 are few:
I wish for health and happiness for my family and friends.
I want to simplify my life— get rid of the clutter, worry less and focus on what really matters.
Happy New Year, Goddesses! I hope that 2008 brings you only the best!
darkshire007 on 01 Jan 2008 at 11:33 am #
My goal for the new year is to find another job, finish my degree and get more work done on my house. I’ve been neglecting the house and it’s starting to show. My great-grandparents came from Ireland in 1873 and settled in Ohio. That is where the majority of my family still resides today. The men still tend to go with coal mining but a lot of the mines are closed now forcing them to move to areas with active mining.
Claudia Dain on 01 Jan 2008 at 11:44 am #
Darkshire, those are huge goals! I wish you much strength of heart and endurance to see them accomplished.
Gannon, I am on the exact same page in my life; I want to simplify! Too much stuff crowding me, dragging me down. Be gone! *G*
Twolil, I’m also one who never makes New Year’s resolutions, mostly because I’d forget what they were by Feb 1. Maybe I should resolve to have a better memory?
Claudia Dain on 01 Jan 2008 at 11:46 am #
Darkshire, forgot (see previous post) to add that my paternal great-grandparents came from Germany and settled in upstate New York at about the same time as yours came from Ireland to Ohio. The courage it takes to relocate across an ocean!
RachelG on 01 Jan 2008 at 11:49 am #
Beautiful blog, Claudia.
In 2008, I’d love world peace so that my nephew can come home from Iraq. But that’s not going to happen. So, I just want my family and friends to be healthy and happy. Maybe a few more outfits for the dogs and cat.
rachelg
doglady on 01 Jan 2008 at 11:55 am #
What a great story, Claudia. As my mother says “You come from good stock.” My mother’s family have been here since before Columbus. (Cherokee and Creek nations.) My father’s family came over in 1902 from Wales and the north of England to work in the coal mines of PA. My great grandfather died in a mining accident and left my great grandmother alone to raise 8 kids, but she did it. I have not been very daring since my husband died, but that is going to stop. I hate my job, but it is easy and pays the bills. I have wanted to be a writer since I was 9 years old and it is time for me to make that happen.
Karen Hawkins on 01 Jan 2008 at 12:00 pm #
Thanks for for sharing the story of your grandparents, Claudia. You have an amazing family, which is no surprise.
This year, I want my daughter to find her path. She’s in college and on the verge of making choices for her future. She’ll do a great job because she’s intelligent and creative and very strong.
This year, I want my son to learn to relax a bit and find some balance in his life. He’s 17, so it’s possible now is the time this will happen.
This year I want to get my house/closets/life organized so that when I’m home, I can focus on my writing and nothing else. I want to savor time spent with my family, and my guy. And I want to write the best books I’ve ever written.
Claudia, when my list gets too much for me, I’m going to remember your grandfather and remind myself that not every journey is accomplished with one step. Thanks for a great intro into 2008!
Claudia Dain on 01 Jan 2008 at 12:03 pm #
Doglady, be what you want to be! I’m so glad you’re pursuing your dream. Life without a dream is pretty bleak and life’s too short to tolerate bleakness.
FreshEChelle on 01 Jan 2008 at 12:05 pm #
Claudia, the inspiration I take from your grandfather’s story is to know the things you DON’T want to do or be. His choices were about not settling and not accepting things as they are. That’s an approach I’ve taken at times in my life but need do a lot more. I don’t need to know exactly what who or where I want to be in 2008 but I’ll avoid “that’s just how it is” thinking.
In 2008, no matter how you vote, please vote in 2008! Folks like Rachel’s nephew are supposed to be fighting for democracy, we at home should honor that by exercising our democratic right to vote.
Happy New Year to all!
Nicole Jordan on 01 Jan 2008 at 12:08 pm #
What a beautiful story, Claudia! Makes me feel humble… and blessed, too.
I’ll settle for having a bit of a life in 2008. I’ve been so busy this year, I haven’t had much time to stop and smell the roses.
And I wish all of my fellow goddesses health, happiness, success, and many marvelous books to read and write!
Hope you have a great 2008, y’all!!!
NicoleJ
jessie e on 01 Jan 2008 at 12:10 pm #
What a beautiful and inspiring story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
For the new year, I want not to let my fear of failure or rejection or embarrassment hold me back from getting what I want. To do this, I will have to remember that nothing will happen if I don’t try to make it happen. So I will go after this really tough internship in NY that I want without thought to what will happen if I don’t get it and I will try to write more without letting my internal critic get in my way: my family and friends won’t be disappointed in me or embarrassed for me if I go for what I want.
Also, I want to get in better shape and keep up wtih my studies, which means I will have to remind myself that lazing around accomplishes nothing, and I shouldn’t do it as much as I do.
Karen Rose on 01 Jan 2008 at 12:12 pm #
Claudia, your grandfather sounds like a wonderful man.
Health and serenity, I think. My goal of blue belt will get me a bit of both!
Oh, and to clean my office. I now have a path that leads from my door to my computer chair, with stuff stacked on either side. Cleaning it will add to the serenity, too, I think.
Rachel G - I just got a puppy. Later this year when he’s older, I have my eye on the cutest rain slicker for him. Maybe our dogs can go to therapy together, LOL. I’m not planning to dress the cat. She still has her claws.
Seriously- this is a hairy dog. If he gets wet, he’ll smell like a big wet hairy dog (yuck) and I will stress about the odor. The rain slicker is another investment toward serenity.
Emmiebee on 01 Jan 2008 at 12:36 pm #
Happy New Year, everyone!
I love Claudia’s story because it really shows how satisfying life can be if you take the time to know yourself, decide what will make you happy, and DO IT! But, it is so much harder than it sounds. I also come from a family of brave risk takers. My Mom’s father was a Spanish sailor who jumped ship to make a new life in the states, and wooed a rich man’s daughter into becoming his wife on charm alone. My parents moved to the US from Spain with two kids and two hundred dollars. My challenge is to accept that I am very different from them. I am a person who requires a deep sense of Home, of “roots”, to feel happy. Moving my home is OK to improve my life if needed, but is not fun and exciting, as it is for parents. My New Years’ goal is to believe that my own wishes and dreams are just as important and brave and difficult as anyone elses, even if they are not what everyone around me is striving for. Go me!
-Emmiebee
Claudia Dain on 01 Jan 2008 at 12:36 pm #
Oh, KarenH, I know what you mean about wanting our children to find their path. That’s it exactly.
Jessie E, that’s what hits me about my grandfather’s story, the lack of fear. I’m assuming he felt fear at some point, maybe all points?, but he never let it stop him and he never even talked about it. Fear is the beast I fight daily. Fear is what stops us even before we begin.
Claudia Dain on 01 Jan 2008 at 12:38 pm #
Karen R and Karen H, I’m going to be cheering you on as you clean out your closets and offices and such. I’m a big believer in the trash bag. Everything in life can be fixed by filling a trash bag! *g* I know I feel more peaceful and calm when my environment is ordered. If you need a cheering section, I’m here for you!
Claudia Dain on 01 Jan 2008 at 12:41 pm #
Emmiebee, go you! Finding what you want is the core of my grandfather’s story, moving across continents and seas not required.
Suzanne Enoch on 01 Jan 2008 at 1:02 pm #
Love your granddad’s story, Claudia. What a great way for all of us to start out the new year.
My goal is to be able to schedule myself a little bit better, so I don’t go from wandering around aimlessly to pulling my hair out. And I want to do my best work ever, to always set the next goal a little bit beyond the previous one.
Happy New Year, everybody!
Claudia Dain on 01 Jan 2008 at 1:29 pm #
Oooh, setting yourself up to make the next goal a bit beyond the current one? Ouch, Suzanne! That’s living life on the edge. I’m too willing to make my life comfortable.
But, as a reader, I really do want you to do your best work ever!
AnnaSwede on 01 Jan 2008 at 1:51 pm #
Greetings from Sweden!
Loved the story about your grandparents. Many Swedes left to make a new start in the States, as well as many other Europeans. Nowadays it’s both easier and more difficult to move across the borders… I’m sure I have some distant relatives in America, but none that I actually know of. Do you know where in Sweden your grandparents came from? Have you ever thought about what your life would have been like if they had stayed in Sweden?
My goal is to find a new place to live. I really need a bigger apartment (maybe even a small house). My wishes is to have a big enough place so that I can have one room as a library. I’d like that.
Anna
Claudia Dain on 01 Jan 2008 at 2:19 pm #
Oh, Anna Swede, welcome! I don’t know where my grandparents came from; all I know is that my grandmother came from the north and my grandfather from the south. My mother knew and went to visit both places, but all that knowledge is long gone. My grandparents really and truly rarely talked about their lives in Sweden, though they were both proud to have come from Sweden.
My grandmother told me about the wooden shoes she wore to work in the garden.
My grandfather told me about how all the children slept by the fire and how he heard his sister die of consumption one night—the coughing finally stopped.
My grandfather used to bounce me on his knee and sing a little Swedish nonsense song, in Swedish.
It’s funny, but everyone in my entire extended family will say their ancestry is Swedish, no matter what other nations have been tossed into the mix since then!
Kim on 01 Jan 2008 at 2:26 pm #
Claudia–what a wonderful inspiring story about your grandparents! It takes a lot of courage to do what they did. That’s something I truly admire; someone having the faith in themselves to truly do what they want to do.
KarenH and KarenR–PLEASE let me come and organize your offices. Please?
Paula on 01 Jan 2008 at 2:33 pm #
What a fantastic story and heritage to have behind you Claudia. My mums dad was English but born in India and my dad’s family moved from Devon to West Sussex over 100 years ago.
For 2008 I wish that my family and I have lots fo good Health and happiness and the same for all you goddesses out there.
Karen Rose on 01 Jan 2008 at 3:48 pm #
Kim, you ain’t right.
Just sayin’.
(really, you LIKE to organize?)
Karen Rose on 01 Jan 2008 at 3:50 pm #
Of course, (I say after casting disparaging doubts on Kim’s sanity) if you’re in FL, please come and organize my office!
(really, you LIKE to organize? I’m still having trouble getting past this, personally.)
ladydawgfan on 01 Jan 2008 at 5:18 pm #
Small world, Claudia and AnnaSwede, but my paternal Grandparents also came from Sweden. In fact, my entire life, we have celebrated Christmas with an annual Smorgasborg, complete with the limpa, Swedish cassarole rye, assorted fishes, hard tak, Swedish meatballs, Rum cake, and the family recipe for Glogg. It is a heritage I had hoped to pass on to my children. However, my nieces and nephews will have to carry on the traditions.
As for 2008, no resolutions to break. I just hope for better health, better communications with my long distance friends, and less stress in my life.
Kim on 01 Jan 2008 at 5:49 pm #
KarenR–I live to organize. Truly. You know who my idol is? In one of those wife swap episodes this woman had everything in her house organized in plastic tubs. I do mean everything. And it was all labeled! Seriously, I pine to live in her house or to at least have her label maker
If I happen to wander down to FL I promise to take care of your office. You supply the take out chinese though
Marie Conley on 01 Jan 2008 at 6:30 pm #
I have two wants. If I have one I can’t have the other. So I would say giving up one to have the other.
Kay on 01 Jan 2008 at 7:44 pm #
My husband and I have lived in this house for 14 years. I have hated the kitchen since the day I moved in, and I COOK! So, this is the year we gut our basement & kitchen. we spent the afternoon looking at blueprints for the basement. Yippee!!!!! I still have to make some plans for the kitchen.
Of course, that means getting rid of 14 years worth of stuff.
DH and I are pack rats, so there is an amazing amount of stuff to toss and give away. That is the only way remodeling will happen. It is a scary task.
My other goal is to complete the two WIP that did not get completed in ‘07. It will be done. I have next week away from home to work, and that will give me a huge jumpstart.
ilovetoread on 01 Jan 2008 at 7:45 pm #
Kim, I’ll buy you a label maker for your very own that would make you weep if you would come organize my house!! A good friend of mine works at a Chinese restaurant (which in my opinion is VERY good). It would be supplied in whatever quantities and flavors that you wish!! (ha ha)
I look at the internet sites, sale ads, etc., with such envy and torment that it would bring tears to a bystanders eyes. I can buy such things with the best of intentions, but to get the ability/time to use them is unfathomable!!
cail on 01 Jan 2008 at 9:25 pm #
happy new years everyone! sorry for the radio silence, i’ve been on vacation and not spending much time near the computer. great story about your grandfather! i’ve always heard great stories from my relatives of different voyages from europe to come here. it was so brave of them to pick up and leave.
i always keep my new years resolutions simple. usually its to throw out all my undergarments/socks that have holes in them. this year i’m extending that to my boyfriend’s wardrobe. Come Friday he will no longer own any socks with holes.
Best wishes to all for a healthy and happy 2008
Claudia Dain on 01 Jan 2008 at 10:39 pm #
Yes, to the Swedish smorgasbord every Christmas Eve. I wish I lived in a place that had limpa since it’s the best bread ever created. I told my husband before he was my husband that if he wanted to be my husband he had to eat pickled herring. Traditional fish dish of the Swedes. Even on limpa with butter he had a hard time getting it down! Of course *I* won’t eat pickled herring, but that wasn’t the point. LOL We also always have Spritz, a type of butter cookie. DH has no trouble swallowing those!
Claudia Dain on 01 Jan 2008 at 10:40 pm #
Happy New Year everyone! I love this list and all the fun and interesting people on it. You’ve made each day a bit brighter. Thanks for the company!
Cyndi on 01 Jan 2008 at 11:05 pm #
My goals for the new year are to see my family reunited (my DH has been stationed overseas for 17 months w/o seeing us) and to have us make a smooth cross-country move.
I also hope to instill in my children the knowledge that, with work, they truly can do anything they want.
I would say I would like to cut down on my coffee and wine intake but that would cut into my girl time. So I guess they will remain the same and I will have to find the will power to cut calories elsewhere!! The girlfriends are too important!!
doglady on 01 Jan 2008 at 11:50 pm #
I just have to add my “you ain’t right” to Karen R’s when it comes to you Kim. You LIKE to organize? You are a strange bird!
ladydawgfan on 02 Jan 2008 at 12:22 am #
Claudia,
BUY limpa??? Heaven forbid!! We have a recipe for limpa that has been handed down through the generations that I would be happy to send you if you are interested. No need to go without something so easy to make and so yummy to eat.
My brother makes the Spritz in our family, the absolute best melt-in-your-mouth cookie EVER!! Another generational recipe, as the best ones are.
BTW, I’ll take your portion of the pickled herring if you don’t care for it. It’s my favorite of all of the fish dishes on the smorgasbord.
Skål!!
Kim on 02 Jan 2008 at 12:58 am #
iltr–you’re on, doll!
doglady–*blinks innocently* What?!?! Organization is your friend.
Claudia Dain on 02 Jan 2008 at 11:08 am #
Ladydawgfan, I will be your slave for life if you’ll pass on that Limpa recipe. My mother, not a baker, always bought it at a local Swedish bakery. My grandmother died with the recipe still locked in her head. Please, please…I’d love that recipe!