Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Reimagining the American Dream



My mother's father, Moses, who passed on when I was in my teens, sailed to America from Germany. Moses kept a flock of sheep, a rather substantial flock, which I would sometimes help move from one pasture to another. I can recall one particular day, I was very young and walking in the middle of the field, when the sheep went on the run. My grandfather hollered at me to stand still, which I did, as the sheep jumped, sailing over my head. The sun shining down on the field that day was as brilliant as I ever remember sun shining.

My father's father, Simon, sailed here from Norway. Simon worked in a logging camp. He lost a leg there, an accident which, along with the early loss of his wife to cancer, seemed to mark the rest of his time here in anger, alcohol, and sorrow. I never got to know Simon. He took his own life when I was very young. I wish I had known him, had come to understand his unquenchable grief, that he had once been a good man, and there was still a good man, one who perhaps got lost that day in the logging camp.

They are my grandfathers, and their existence eventually brought forth my own. In ways I'm not even entirely aware of, they helped shape and define my life.


Many immigrants arrived at Ellis Island after a long voyage, anxious to make their home in this new land, a land they saw as holding infinite possibility. Many of us are here because they were willing to make that voyage.

Sometimes I miss the attitude, some would say naivete, that came with holding on to that dream, the dream that in America anything is possible. Because for awhile, it seemed like it was. Some came because they were driven by the same dream many had of lighting out for the territory and creating a new life away from what they saw as the restrictions of home. Some arrived with the dream of creating a business out of their skills and talents, a business that would be sustainable for years, perhaps generations to come. And yes, some arrived with get-rich-quick schemes, designed to amass great fortunes. But many arrived with the simple desire to find a piece of land from which they could create their own life out of hard work and by being resourceful in how they lived. Has it changed?  Yes, it appears so. Are dreams still possible?  Perhaps. I hope so. But I think a massive reimagining is going to have to take place. Charles Darwin said, in The Origin of the Species, regarding survival of the fittest:  "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change."

Here is Dan Fogelberg and one of my favorite songs,  "Forefathers,"  with photographs of that time, of immigrants, individuals and families, arriving with dreams and hopes and plans.

Reimagine the possibilities.


40 comments:

  1. Valuable thoughts and sharing.I see bits and pieces of myself in many family members.I used to irritate my grandmother because I acted like her first husband, whom I adored. I have a few generations on you.My great-great grandparents came to Baltimore from Bohemia. They took a train to Chicago and gathered a wagon to go west into NE.

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  2. Hi Steve, Each of my grandfathers arrived here with their father and other members of their family, thus my great-grandfathers brought the dream forward. Great-great does go back a ways. My paternal side settled in Wisconsin and the maternal here in Minnesota, tillable land being a necessity for them. I imagine yours had the same concern.

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  3. I know nothing of my Father...My mother's people were Scots-Irish...Never cease to dream Teresa!!

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  4. Paul, I cannot imagine knowing nothing of one's father. Our lives are shaped by many influences and circumstances. Perhaps it's what allowed you to write poetry.

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  5. Very nice Teresa! My grandfather's story is similar. He and his twin brother came to the States and then to Minnysota as he pronounced it and became loggers before coming down to north central Iowa where they each bought land and married.

    I think dreams are still possible but now it's a different breed of cat for sure

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  6. My grandparents on my mothers's side both immigrated via Ellis Island and went to Chicago,one from Greece and one from Germany, on my father's side I had Cherokee and a tad of English, Irish and French and they went from Georgia to Arkansas in the trail of tears. Sadly neither my mother or father were willing to share much of their heritage with my siblings and I; I still feel I'm missing something not knowing about those cultures from my own parents. Both my husband's grand parents immigrated via Ellis Island from Finland and he knows much about his heritage. I think knowing about the past helps him feel comfortable in the present and future and go with the flow which I envy. Did you know you can find the actual ship and date relatives came here on the Ellis Island site? I looked it up for Gary's grandparents and found their names and the name of the ship and a photo of the ships.

    I hope to change and adapt as quickly as is necessary in our ever changing world, I used to feel certain how to proceed, now I don't feel as confident of how to plan for what the future may hold.

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  7. One Fly, I agree, "a different breed of cat." And yet, the dream of a piece of land of one's own lives on for many people, some are still dreaming and some have been realized.

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  8. Linda, Thanks for that tip! I should have known it would be possible here on the net! I do have some info. on both, especially my paternal grandfather, but the other is sketchy. I will do some investigating.

    It isn't easy to plan for what seems like an uncertain future, but perhaps it's our plans, our dreams, that will sustain us. As is so often said by many, going with the flow is about all one can do and view each day as this ongoing journey.

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  9. 'Are dreams still possible? Perhaps. I hope so. But I think a massive reimagining is going to have to take place.' I really like this. The frontier was so boundless and exciting....what are our frontiers today?

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  10. Paul C, That is the question I often ask myself. Are we moving onward into the past, or are there new frontiers to explore? Some would say space, of course. And that's fine, but the question remains: what to do about planet Earth? How do we re-imagine life here, individually and collectively? Thank you for asking that thought-provoking question.

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  11. Teresa,
    What a lovely glimpse into your life. I enjoyed reading about your grandfather's and I also found it interesting when you say they shaped your life; could you explain it at all?
    PS...I LOVE Dan Fogelberg...I have every single one of his albums; Netherlands is my favorite!

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  12. Tracy, Thank you. I will consider your question and perhaps take a closer look at that in another post soon.

    I am such a Dan fan. He left us much too soon. I love "The Wild Places" best, but there are so many, aren't there?

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  13. Thank you for sharing the stories of your grandfathers, Teresa. I'm sure that we're all influenced in some way or other by our grandparents via our parents, if that makes any sense.

    And that's such a beautiful song...thanks for that, too.

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  14. My paternal Grandfather left Germany at age 16 by stowing away on a ship to US. Because of hunger, he had to come out of hiding and the Captain liked him and let him work for his board. He just walked off the ship, met a 16 year old German girl. They married and homesteaded land on the Mn/SD border. Had 18 kids, my Father the youngest. There was opportunity for them. Now??? Not opportunity like then. I'm grateful I was born when I was. Everyone who comments here has an interesting heritage. From this point on.... shrug???

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  15. My "post a comment" white space is screwed up!!!! I can't write in it and my guru is on vacation. So I'll reply to your comment on yours. Oh, I like the pictures on the fogelberg vid.

    That car is not mine but it's a 1930 Desota..... the car my Grandfather had when I was born. I have pictures of me beside a car like that but not as glitzy and shiny. It usually had a lot of South Dakota mud on it, as they lived on the border. My Maternal Grandfather I'm talking about.

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  16. Cheryl, It seems that we develop certain traits often due to their influence, whether we realize it nor not. I do love that song.

    Manzanita, 18 kids. That's a passel. We have entered a time of uncertainty, but perhaps good things can develop out of it. Very different, but good. We shall see....

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  17. Manzi, Thanks for commenting on your post. That looks like it was one snazzy automobile.

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  18. Teresa, your first paragraph is one of the most beautiful I have read. Ezra Pound defined literature as simply, "reading charged with emotion". This piece meets and exceeds that standard. May I reprint this for Creative Sunday at my place with proper attribution and all due accolades? Drop around and let me know.

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  19. Cletis, I would be honored. I will drop around... Thank you so much.

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  20. Teresa, I wrote a long comment and it did not take. Sorry. It's unforgettable -- the sheep jumping over you. I'm sorry for your father's father, just terrible. Yes, the dream is still there in America. Different, but still there, and much better here than in most places in the world. Jack of Sage to Meadow.

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  21. Jack, My son and I were talking about that yesterday, how much we still have to be very grateful for here in America. Different dreams, maybe even better, with the right motives. So good to hear from you. Thank you.

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  22. Yea, Change is the only thing that stays the same!
    Never Trust anybody who says "I Don't Dream"!

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  23. I believe there is a Chinese proverb (and probably in many other cultures as well) "Nothing is permanent but change." The key is to go with the flow, and keep dreaming. Thanks, Tony.

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  24. I have never met or talked to my biological father nor have I ever seen a picture of him. He was, and is, the big family secret. I shall go to my grave not knowing. Perhaps God gave me the muse for what I lacked in a father. One door closes and another door opens.

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  25. Paul, Life seems to come in many variations. As much as we are taught to believe it, it is not "one size fits all." Your muse has brought great gifts.

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  26. This speaks of all my ancestors, they all set out leaving their homes and all that was familiar to them behind, and arrived in NZ with hopes and dreams for a better place and life, if not for them themselves, then for their children and grandchildren. They were so very brave, must have been, I have often wondered - did we inherit this bravery, this belief that we too can achieve if we are determined to, as well as our hair and eye colouring.

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  27. Marilyn, I'm not certain I am as brave in the same way they were, but perhaps in a different way.
    I have pulled up stakes a few times... :)



    Taio, If I'm interpreting correctly, you found it "moving." I'm glad. Thank you for visiting.

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  28. Teresa : If one size fits all I am in trouble :-)

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  29. Change is accelerating at unprecedented speed, so I hope that it doesn't destroy too many dreams and inspires even more.

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  30. Corinna, I agree. Everything has accelerated. People need to adapt. The Times They are a Changin', and quickly, more quickly than we can humanly perceive it. That's my feeling and belief.

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  31. Teresa, thank you for this and for the song. I have often thought about those people who went on a long hard voyage across the sea, often with small children and just a little bagage. It must have been a very tough experience and much worrying about starting a new life in a foreign country. But they built a great country all those brave people.
    Some of my mother's family (also some of my father's family) went to the USA around 1900. They were all young single people AFAIK. She had contact to them for some years, but now I don't know where their descendants live.
    I often have questions from Danish-Americans and Americans with Danish roots on my blogs about Danish churches. They ask for their families here. They still feel a strong connection to Denmark. I guess this is how it is for many people, who know from which country their ancestors came.
    It made me sad to read about your grandfather Simon. So much bad luck in a life.
    Good that you ducked your head for the sheep.....
    I loved the song and the photos.
    Cheers
    Grethe

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  32. Grethe, Thank you so much for these thoughtful comments. And for sharing a bit of your own family history. I love your line, "They built a great country all those brave people." Yes, they did.

    There does seem to be a pull back to our roots. I have been giving my grandparents another look lately and find it very interesting just to recall the people they were.

    I'm glad you enjoyed the song and that is a superb collection of photos, isn't it?

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  33. Isn't it amazing to think of all the people that left their home land in search of a better life. Sometimes we forget that living in North America ~ we ARE the better life.

    Beautiful post Teresa ~ happy weekend!
    xo Catherine

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  34. For many people of the world that is very true, Catherine. Very much so.

    Thank you, and a happy weekend to you! xo

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  35. My husband's father immigrated from Belgium. Not that he had a choice...he was about six. But little is known as to the why of it all. No one talked. They had started over and that was that, not uncommon then. But my hub and his cousins treasure each tid-bit learned.

    I think our frontier now is learning how to be neighbors and get along...not as easy as one would think.

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  36. Kittie, I like your point about the new frontier. Learning to live in a global community is necessary. We all have so much to learn and, it seems, a long way to go.

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  37. oddly, I was thinking just this today. Is it me being naive or is the dream possible?
    I am in my 50's and a successful photographer from England. I moved to NYC two years ago and the dreams light is dimming, not actually because of anything in my business but because I honestly thought that Americans held this dream close and that they were nice people, but this weekend I have encountered two wildly aggressive people, well dressed and one would have thought well educated but the way they ranted about me being in their way on the pavement, I have to say that Im disappointed and think now that it was me that was naive and that America is just the same as everywhere else.
    Most people I have met have been amazing but this weekend my dream has been spoilt and this evening I find myself, just an ordinary Joe.

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    1. Please, do not for one moment let that person, or any other person, dim your desire to have your dream realized. Dreams are still possible. Imagine it for yourself and do not be swayed or influenced by anything other than your own voice and guidance coming from deep within. People who act out this way are acting out from their own fears. It has Nothing to do with you. On my side bar are The Four Agreements. Agreements we make with ourselves and the Universe. #2 is the most important one. I urge you to google them and read a slightly extended version of them. You will also find them in a post of mine entitled, "In the Living Room of the World," from the beginning of this year. Practicing them has changed my life. don't be discouraged. Wonderful things are happening in that city, and many other places, too. Hang in there and expect to see that good unfold for You. Thank you for visiting my site.

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