Part one of two
In the season of gift-giving, several of our local citizens were asked what very meaningful or life-changing gift they have received over the years. Thinking of “gift” broadly, it was suggested the gift might be material, but more likely other categories like wisdom, advice, intervention, spiritual encouragement, etc. It might be realized as a gift only in retrospect. I reached some of the interesting people I wrote about in the past in this newspaper.
Below are the responses from some of them.
Alicia Fink
The most significant gift I received has been my rich ethnic heritage, and the appreciation of the same. I lived in Ecuador from birth to High School graduation. Ecuador is a third world country, poor but beautiful; made beautiful by the color of its flora, by the sound of the Spanish and Quichua languages, by the variety of ethnic clothing, by the variety of ethnic music, and the delicious native foods. My Spanish and native heritage were present in everyday life. I have lived in the United States my adult life. The distance has served to strengthen my understanding of where I come from. It has been important to me and I have been successful in making my sons become aware of, appreciate and value their roots.
Barb Deming
When I was four years old, my widowed mom remarried. One day with typical little girl fury, I stomped over to my favorite neighbor to complain about dad. Sid’s willingness to listen to my reactions to all manner of things made him super special. After hearing my complaints, he said, “Well, I think he is trying very hard to be the best dad he can be. And, I think he would really like your help.” I ran home filled with positive intentions.
Throughout the years I often replay Sid’s words. His advice has made an enormous difference in my attitude towards others. The funny thing is, having a tendency to be hard on myself, it took me decades before realizing that council also applied to me.
Buck Noble
Pie is the greatest gift of all! Each week my wife Kristen bakes a sugar free fruit pie just for me. I grow the organic berries and apples; she creates the golden brown treasures. Along with a bit of yogurt and a few nuts, it is my main meal every day — it feeds both body and spirit. We work hard at our jobs, love up our family, and maintain the 1870s farmstead we call home. The weekly pie symbolizes the commitment we have to each other, the simple life style we choose to lead, and the fruits of our labors. Pie is love… the greatest gift of all!
Lori Skoog
One of the things that had the most impact on my life happened when I was 5 and 6 years old. Because my brother was frequently being taken to the Cleveland Clinic for treatment, I had to spend those two years with my Nana. She was from Albania, where my mother was born, and passed through Ellis Island with her 3 children in 1929. My grandfather had gone ahead to find work in Jamestown, NY. I might as well have been living in the “old country” as we spoke Albanian, ate traditional food and practiced customs from that culture. At that early age, I learned to be very independent and picked up on my Nana’s sense of humility. She created a very strong foundation for me.
Note: Look for Part 2 on December 14th. Several more responses will be given: Chet Fery, Peggy Hale, Sarah Hart, and Dr. Jim Goetz.
