My mother at the time was only 17yrs old. When I was only still a baby we flew to Canada to begin a new life. We eventually were granted Permanent Residency to USA in 1982. I don't remember a lot but the memories I do remember are awesome ones especially when my mothers, father took me and raised me for my mom since she was worried about my well being. The time with my grandfather living in Washougal, Washington were memories of a childhood free from worries. we live on a mountain with vast amounts of forests to run and play in. My best friend was my Grandfathers dog "Retu" a Finnish Bear Dog. He and I would frolic through the forest and I never worried about harm coming to me if he was by my side. My grandfather also taught me the Finnish language. My first word he taught me was" kappu", meaning pine cone, I still remember that day when he picked up a pine cone and asked me what it was. Another great memory was of the "Sauna". I loved it when we would heat up the sauna cabin. I know i would have loved to go into the sauna everyday, if I could have.

More to come later.