Changes: Sweet Sixteen
- Brian Borgford
- Aug 1
- 2 min read
by Brian Borgford
The Icelandic Roots Writers' Group submits short stories about Icelandic life and lore after given a prompt for an article. We will be presenting a short series of these articles for "Changes". Brian Borgford has written about his ancestor who had emigrated to Canada with his family and the change he experienced.
Today, February 20, 1890, I am a man. No more lying about my age. No more dressing up in old clothing and smearing my face with dirt to deceive employers.
I stand here today before the door to the Union hall facing my future. The rest of my life starts today, and my first responsibility is to build a cathedral. When I complete my apprenticeship, I will be called a bricklayer or a mason, but I will not just lay bricks; I will build monuments; monuments that will last for a hundred years and more; monuments that will reach the sky.
As a child I dreamed of becoming Thor, the Viking warrior; but instead, I will become a builder - Thor, the Viking Builder. I think the modern age is far better served by a builder than a warrior. I will always live the Viking code with the lessons I have learned in my adventures to this time in my life.
This is the fourth time I have celebrated my birthday without my family at my side, but I will see them soon. I know Father is proud of my choices. He did not bring me to this country to follow him into farming and fishing, as he has proudly continued since emigrating from our homeland.
It has been four years, a quarter of my life, since father made Canada our home, leaving my childhood, and the land of my birth behind - behind in time, but not behind in my heart. I love my new country and I will forevermore be Canadian, but Icelandic blood will always run through my veins - my Viking veins.
As I look back on my sixteen years, I can see that every event in my life has prepared me for this day. All the fun events, all the challenging times, all the advice from Father and Mother, as well as the collective experiences of my ancestors going all the way back to the original Viking to settle my homeland - Leifur Erikson. I am the product of my history and the history of my people. May I use that background to make a mark - a lasting mark on my adopted homeland.
EDITOR NOTE: Brian has also submitted a newspaper article that was copied from The Winnipeg Evening Tribune in 1928. His grandmother was interviewed and speaks of changes she has noted. It seemed appropriate to also share this with you. The cropped image is of the actual newspaper article itself. Below is the same article retyped for easier reading:
