Blue And White Candles For Finnish Independence

I am very much an American in many respects. A bit of an odd one born in a Buddhist hippy commune and all…. But I am a Yank, none the less. When I was young I traveled a lot. I ended up married to Dr. Farmer Moomin. When I met him, Dr. Farmer Moomin, was a PhD student in Helsinki. Finland, was his home. I think his heart still lives there with his family who remain there. He graduated “High school” and went to the army, to defend Finland should she ever be in trouble from Russian invasion or any invasion. Every man just about does this in Finland. It is a standard requirement. Finland, provides a lot for her people. Health care and an amazing social system, free higher education, baby boxes for when people begin families. Finland’s military has historically only been defensive. Finland, is my favorite country. The US may be my home…. But when I look for a nation who’s values, choices, and behavior I feel most deeply in line with, it isn’t the USA that comes to mind. It’s Finland. Today she turns 107 years old.Today, we light a blue and white candle to celebrate Finnish independence. We watch the new Unknown Soldier movie, to remember the struggles Finland has survived and to honor it’s history as an independent nation. The Unknown Soldier, is by the author Vaino Linna who was himself a soldier. He later became an author and began perhaps the greatest of debates in Finland with his book that has now been made a movie several times over. When is it acceptable to ask human beings to divorce their humanity and do the most egregious things to other human beings? The answer given by the Finnish people has always been only to defend ourselves if invaded. We will not go conquering other nations and demanding such sacrifice regularly. Later, everyone in Finland would respond with a question, who is this unknown soldier? So Vaino Linna, wrote a trilogy of books that begin with the life of the Unknown Soldier’s grandfather and follows the family through several generations of Finnish history. The answer to the people’s question is, Koskela, and he is every Finn.

Finland is a beautiful nation of cold darkness, lakes, and the northern lights. The most beautiful thing about it is it’s compassion and the way it treats other people. Finland, has been amazing in it’s aide to Ukraine. Finland also recently as an act of self protection joined NATO along with Sweden. I am still not sure how I feel about that. I am happy Finland is safer for it. I am also sad that now the debate that for the last 80 years started by Vaino Linna, seems to have possibly a new answer… One not entirely in line with what many Finns feel is right. Still, if I am honest, I can offer no better solution. If I am honest I will admit I sleep better knowing the nation I view as a second home of sorts has done what it must to protect itself.

Finland, is a nation of educated people, who speak little who we could do with hearing so much more from. Because they are so educated. It is a place of extremes when it comes to light and temperature. It gave us saunas, among other things including some really incredible literature. It is a bright light in a world of darkness tonight.

So, today we celebrate you Finland. Here’s to all you are and to all you have the promise to become. To peace, snow and lakes. Today is the day we say, Onnea Suomi!!! Happy independence! On a small homestead or Maatilla. All the way in Massachusetts the state that the Finns have the most difficult time pronouncing we say this. We say it even though the USA didn’t acknowledge an independent Finland for a good couple years after it’s independence. Today, is Finland’s day. Not just us here in MA celebrate. The whole world does as an independent Finland has been such a joy to all.

Thank you for reading
Amanda Of Wildflower Farm