Three Questions to Ask Your Amma (Grandmother)

Do you have memories of favourite questions that you asked your Mother, Amma or Grandmother and their answers?

When we think about our nurturers we remember them mostly from the point of view of our younger selves. We get wistful about how they made us feel, and inspired us with their often surprising ways of expressing love, humanity and sense of humour.

When I asked for stories about your Amma in our latest newsletter, I received this fun one from Salín. Her Amma was truly a beauty inside and out.

“This is my Amma, (Herdís) Salín Guttormsson, (née Reykdal) as Fjallkonan in 1927. At that time, Islendingadagurinn was held in Winnipeg, on August 6th, at River Park.

With her are attendants (Hirðmeyar) Steinthor Jakobsson (dark hair/white blouse) and Gyða Johnson (light hair/dark blouse).

Although you cannot see him, my Dad, (Pétur) Thor Guttormsson is also “in” this photo, as Amma was four months pregnant with him. Dad used to joke that he was the only male to hold the Fjallkona title!

I, (Dorothy) Salín Guttormsson, am named after Amma and when I was about 16, (some 40+ years ago) I spent most of the summer with my grandparents at their home in Maple Creek, SK.

I probably pestered Amma with many questions during that memorable time; these three – and her answers – stuck:

“Do you exercise, Amma?” Asked Salín.
“No, I don’t need to; I live in a 2-story house.” Said Amma

“Why don’t you have a garlic press?” Asked Salín.
“I don’t need one; I have a perfectly good knife.” Said Amma

Another memory (and one of my faves…) was the day when things were rather tense between my grandparents.

“Amma, why are you and Afi arguing?” Asked Salín

Amma told me that they were really not; she just thought it had become a trifle dull around the house and had deliberately said something to him that she knew he would disagree with, just to liven things up!”

D. Salín Guttormsson
23 April 2022

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Sending lots and lots of love,

Arden Jackson

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Culture, Vinarterta

Three Questions to Ask Your Amma (Grandmother)