Hyvää Syntymäpäivää

Pronounced as

“Hoo-va Soon-to-ma-pie-vuh”

Is a Finnish expression for“Happy Birthday"

“Paljon Onnea Vaan

Paljon Onnea Vaan

Paljon Onnea Ida

Paljon Onnea Vaan”

Pronounced as

“Paul-Ja On-Nay-Ja Von” is the Happy Birthday song using the same tune as the American translation.

As you may have guessed, November 22nd was Ida’s birthday. Her 132 birthday to be exact. Ida’s birthday, of course typically comes and goes every year without fanfare. This year, I decided to do something. This is the very first year that I know exactly who she was. The Girl With Gray Eyes “Ida” is Ida Sofia Strandberg. She was born on the Aland Islands of Finland. Her parents were Johan and Beata Strandberg. She was the fourth child in her family, the oldest daughter. She grew up poor but decently happy until her father died in 1911. When she was 22 years old, she traveled to Sweden where she took a boat to England and boarded the Titanic as a 3rd class passenger. She fell in love with the ship and never wanted to leave it. She developed a crush on one of the engineers but was too afraid to make a move. On April 15th, 1912, she drowned in the long hallway on E- Deck known as “Scotland Road.” Her body was not recovered and her family was paid $50 for the loss of her life.

I know so much more about her than I did years ago. I didn’t know half of that earlier this year on my birthday. 2021 is the first year that I’ve experienced her birthday and knew it was her birthday. I felt like I needed to acknowledge her birthday. To celebrate if you will. As odd as it may sound.

So, I researched Finnish birthday traditions and bought Ida a cake. In Finland, they use a white sponge cake, covered in whipping cream that they decorate with fruit. The above photo was the cake I purchased to be as close as I could get in America. I lit a candle, blew it out, and wished that her soul would find peace in whatever form it took, wherever it may rest. In the seasonal exchange for gifts, my cousin “Rose” sent me a necklace with the word “Sisu” engraved into it. Sisu is a nearly untranslatable word. It is the Finnish spirit, their national character as a people. It represents someone’s determination, bravery, grit, and strength. That was the only gift that was truly meant for her as a birthday gift.

I’ve been taking Finnish language lessons for nearly a year now but I waited until I was sufficient enough in the language before I attempted something I had wanted to try. I had purchased a regression recording from Wellness Canada, where it uses my hypnotist, Jennifer’s voice to guide you back. Even though I can go back with Jennifer over zoom as I have done thrice before, the recording does not allow me to go back into a past life for whatever reason; but it does grant me a deep meditation.

After taking some clove tea for protection against anything negative, I gave my idea a try. Since we constantly connect via water, I thought I’d use it to my advantage. I climbed into the bathtub with the water as hot as I could stand it. Making sure I was in a comfortable position where I could relax without the risk of drowning. I put in my headphones and started the recording.

I was able to relax and go into a deep meditation. Naturally, I ended up back on the ship with her simply roaming the hall. Weirdness aside, I told her it was her birthday and wished her well despite the obvious. I thanked her for showing me her life and told her what I could of my own. I told her that I was sorry for what had happened to her and that there was nothing I could do but spiritually be there with her.

I shared what happened to the remaining members of her family. I told her that I was looking for Henry in this life but wasn’t optimistic if I’d find him. I told her of my little group of friends that had also died with her on Titanic, that they were now doing fine. I explained what state the ship was in and asked if she knew what became of her locket. She did not answer but I explained that I would look after the ship the best that I could and try to file what I can to keep the grave robbing salvagers from destroying the ship and stealing personal items. I’d protect what I could though I was certain, she’d look after her locket herself if it was ever found.

Despite what little I know of the grammar rules and my awful accent, I did make my goal of keeping the conversation strictly in Finnish.