Swedish Again: a memoir of motherhood and identity

(my review from Amazon)

Memoirs are not a genre I read, but I was excited that a friend whom I admired had written one and grabbed it as soon as I could. I had no idea.

I knew Anna and her mother from their time in Maine. I knew a few of the earlier children as they'd come to my house for Baha'i children's classes and as I followed her adventures from afar after that. I grew to admire Anna's international joi de vivre and passion for accumulating children, but had lost touch before the Swedish chapter of her life. As someone who thrives on getting to know someone intimately, this book was wonderful.

I am currently raising a seven year old daughter with my wife and at times, many times, I'm stretched to my limit as I uncover familial patterns and triggers that challenge me. And that is with one child. My heart goes out to Anna in her indomitable efforts to be there for eleven children on multiple continents. The book unfolded layer after layer in an easy to read story of a loving, compassionate, struggling mother, daughter, Baha'i, professional, and friend. She did not shy away from showing the anger, fear, and challenges of a life lived in service. The culmination of the events and decisions in the last few chapters had me riveted until I finished the book, just moments ago.

I know many people who are comfortable in several cultures, but not many as disparate as the United States, Canada, Korea, and Sweden. While I am experienced with Western European cultures, Anna's experience navigating Sweden and Korea made the story even more impressive. As someone who has spent the last few years delving deeply into my family of origin and its impact on me as a person and a parent, her honest vulnerability and recollections touched me and make me feel closer to her. I remember the children I have met very fondly, and remember hearing prayers in Swedish and Korean when they'd visit. To see stories of them as capable adults and parents in their own right makes me so happy.

Often when we get to know someone, we get to know the calm, outer image they project and share with the public. I often say if you haven't seen someone crying or angry you really don't know them. This has been a wonderful opportunity to get to know Anna and her children, to see the struggles, and to celebrate the hard-won victories.

I'm not sure why I enjoyed the book so much. Is it because I know the author? Is it because there are so many timely connections with where I am at in my life right now? Is it because it is a well-written book that tells an eminently relatable story? I suspect it is all three. And I know when the further adventures of Anna come out, I'll be first in line to pick them up. It is a wonderful, wonderful book and my heart is literally warmed today as I think fondly of her very extended family and their impact on this world.

You may be thinking “they just wrote that glowing recommendation because they know the author.” I assure you that is not the case. If my love for this story and book are not coming through in this review, it is because of the limitation of my ability to convey it.