From Barb
:
Greetings from your Class Agent, aka, the Driftless Dressmaker.
Whenever I drive home from Rochester after visiting my friend, the owner of Ginny’s Fabrics, I am always amazed to come down the hills and bluffs from Nodine, Minn. and witness the beauty leading to the majestic Mississippi River below.
When I went to college at Luther, I was somewhat lucky in the fact that I grew up not too far away on a farm. I always knew it was special and as I have grown older and returned to my home area to live and work, I know I am in the right place..I am home.
I recently had the opportunity to watch the Emmy-award-winning film,
Decoding the Driftless
. My freshman year of college, I had the chance to fly over the Mississippi River in a single engine plane. Watching this film, I realized how lucky I was then to have experienced this. Little did I know the significance of the sinkholes we had on our farm, nor why Dad banned us from taking walks in the woods during August as the rattlesnakes were more likely to appear. There is so much beauty in this area to be preserved.
During this time of COVID-19 and all the uncertainty it brings, please follow the CDC suggestions to do your part in preventing its spread. I feel we need to stay the course and know that we are exactly where we are meant to be.
Back in February, I had the chance to attend the gathering of Luther graduates (in a group size of under 50) in La Crosse, Wis. It was fun seeing classmates and meeting new friends. I was totally captivated by meeting President Ward and hearing her speak of Luther. During this time of so much need in our world, President Ward reminded me of the ongoing needs of Luther College.
I want to thank each and everyone of you for whatever gift you have given to our Alma Mater, your second home for four years. I am always amazed when I return to campus and see the new buildings that have gone up since we were on campus. I am also appreciative of the letter and picture I receive once a year from the students I have helped out in a small way. It means so much to them and may have been what allowed them to attend Luther.
When you watch,
Decoding the Driftless
, you will gain a new appreciation of this area and view Dunnings Spring and the caves around Luther in a new way.
I hope this letter finds you all well in this new time and age of our country.
God speed,
Barbara Linnell
From Kris:
Dear Class of 1980,
I hope you are finding time and energy to reach out to others during this pandemic. What a difficult time for everyone in the world. More than ever, we have time to think about life, reflect on the past, deal with the present, and look toward the future. There are many resources that we can seek at this time to help us deal with the loss of our lives as we have known it. Change. Grief. Emptiness. Lack of community. We cannot compare our suffering, yet we can take action. One thing is for sure, we will never be the same in this lifetime. Recognize your feelings, validate emotions, and look forward to the future. Take care of yourself and find ways to serve anyone possible in your sphere of influence. Where does your relationship stand with your past, and the future?
“In life our first job is this, to divide and distinguish things into two categories: externals I cannot control, but the choices I make with regard to them I do control. Where will I find good and bad? In me, in my choices” -EPICTETUS
This fall marks our 40-year Class Reunion. I am looking forward to this event and sharing the experience with you as we make new connections and memories. Our committee is reaching out to everyone possible to encourage your participation. After being ordered to “stay at home” for so long, I know I will be ready for this celebration. Make your plans now for Homecoming 2020 - October 9-11. There will be group opportunities, yet I hope you will find time with your friends that have influenced you since our days at Luther College. We will create a positive atmosphere and experience, being with our fellow graduates at this special place, Luther College. There will be a variety of things to do, yet just being in Decorah and enjoying your favorite parks will be positive. Have you visited the VESTERHEIM MUSEUM? Decorah has many treasures, and this is definitely one of them. Explore and perhaps find your “Hygge” (a way of being, the term is founded in Norway according to
The Little Book of Hygge
by Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute), and reflects on the community that sustains this place that is a connection to Norway.
What do your personal goals look like at this chapter in life? There are many changes going on in the landscape of living for the Class of 1980. If you are in a position to be generous, now is the time. If you are in a positive on needing to receive from others, let us know.
“Objective judgement, now at this very moment. Unselfish action, now at this very moment. Willing acceptance-now at this very moment-of all external events. That is what we need” -Marcus Aurelius
I sincerely hope you will consider supporting our class endeavors and participate in the fall Homecoming festivities. Sending you peace and the sharing of brighter days ahead.
Kris (Skoglund) Tjornehoj
