“Erste August” - August 1st is Switzerland’s national independence day. Today the Swiss celebrate 617 years of independence with bonfires, lantern parades, great food and festive folk music. We will be celebrating up at sugar house park doing pretty much the same thing, aside from the bonfires I am sure. Way too hot!
I for one am so grateful for my Swiss heritage, even though I only come by it by the way of marriage into the Schmalz family. I love it all. The cute little outfits, the yummy food and recipes that have been passed down, the fun celebrations and culture, the only chocolate worth eating in my opinion, oh, and the cheese. I could go on and on. I love that when I was 19 years old my future in laws (Xandi’s aunt, dad, and sister) let me tag along with them to the home country. I count that trip as one of my favorite things in my life. Not only because of the things that I got to do and see over in Europe, but because I got to see those things that would eventually be so important to me to tell to my children and to pass on to them. I got to meet their great grandma Schmalz before I even knew that she would be the great grandmother to my children and know and love her obsession with polyester suits. I got to see the bed that their grandpa slept in as a small boy and I got to cook in the kitchen that his mother cooked in. I saw where grandpa went to church and where he went to school and I saw great grandpa’s head stone. All of these things at the time were nice and I loved them but now I REALLY love them. I love that my children have this great Schmalz heritage to live. I pray that they will learn all the things that their grandpa has to teach them to carry on the Schmalz legacy.
I for one am so grateful for my Swiss heritage, even though I only come by it by the way of marriage into the Schmalz family. I love it all. The cute little outfits, the yummy food and recipes that have been passed down, the fun celebrations and culture, the only chocolate worth eating in my opinion, oh, and the cheese. I could go on and on. I love that when I was 19 years old my future in laws (Xandi’s aunt, dad, and sister) let me tag along with them to the home country. I count that trip as one of my favorite things in my life. Not only because of the things that I got to do and see over in Europe, but because I got to see those things that would eventually be so important to me to tell to my children and to pass on to them. I got to meet their great grandma Schmalz before I even knew that she would be the great grandmother to my children and know and love her obsession with polyester suits. I got to see the bed that their grandpa slept in as a small boy and I got to cook in the kitchen that his mother cooked in. I saw where grandpa went to church and where he went to school and I saw great grandpa’s head stone. All of these things at the time were nice and I loved them but now I REALLY love them. I love that my children have this great Schmalz heritage to live. I pray that they will learn all the things that their grandpa has to teach them to carry on the Schmalz legacy.
4 comments:
That trip is one of my favorite memories, too. It really helped me to understand my dad, and as a bonus, I got to know you!
See, I posted!
Who says geneology is boring? This is what it's all about! Zachary wants to serve his mission in Germany so that he can help out any relatives we might have still over there.
I was really touched when I read this. I printed out a copy to give to Ruth. We really appreciate all your heart-felt comments, especially as they pertain to the gospel and to Switzerland.
How neat! I really enjoyed this post!
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