Bennäs, Finland

We spent Easter weekend with my mom’s family on the West Coast of Finland. My mom was born in Finland and immigrated to Canada when she was 6 years. This is my fourth trip to see my relatives. I am reminded of my grandmother as I eat stringy yogurt, like she used to make, and sample breads from family recipes passed down though the generations. I see my grandfather in the faces of his relatives and am reminded of all his grand stories.

More has changed in past five years since I was last in Finland than in between any other of my visits. There are four new babies in the family and one new (adopted) child. Since I was last here my auntie has passed away and my cousin also lost her partner to cancer. More than anything, people living in Finland seem to have more access to the world. All of my relatives now have high speed internet in their homes, and with more expendable income and airlines offering cheap flights, my relatives are traveling like never before, and many will visit us in Canada in the near future.