Why do we celebrate?

Today is May 17 and just a normal day for most Americans. If you were in Oslo Norway today however it is Syttende Mai or Norwegian Independence Day. And it is a nationwide celebration as the Norwegians celebrate their 196th year of Independence from the Danes and the Swedes.

Growing up Syttende Mai was celebrated in our house as my father was very proud of his Norwegian heritage. His grandfather Mathias Jenson came to the United States in the 1880's from Voss Norway (for football fans this is where Knute Rockne the old Notre Dame football coach came from). While it was a low-key celebration we had some lefse but no lutefisk since my dad was the only one who would eat the smelly codfish. My dad would tell stories of his Dad telling stories of his Dad and how proud they were of being Norwegian.


Well here it is today and I'm helping our children learn to celebrate the Norwegian Independence day also. No they aren't taking the day off from school or anything fun like that but we will talk about Norway and our heritage (my wife's grandfather Lars also immigrated from Norway in the 1930's). We have several books on Norway and we'll have the flag at our dinner table.


I believe it is important to celebrate your heritage and ancestry because the past is something we should all understand. It is where we came from and to recognize the great sacrifices made by our forefathers. They all took great risks and ventured to a foreign land where the language was different.


One lesson that we talk about tonight is the importance of accepting others from other countries. Because while we are born of Norwegian ancestry, we are now Americans and our country is a patchwork quilt of different people from around the world. And that is the beauty of our country - accepting others.


While Syttende Mai does not carry quite the recognition of say the 4th of July it is still an important date for the Jenson family. And with that I say "Skol" to all. And maybe tonight after the kids go to bed I will pour a shot of Aquavit to toast my great grandfather Mathias and say thanks for all he did when he ventured to this foreign land called America.


Happy Syttende Mai to everyone.