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It has been eleven years since Auntie passed. There are many stories to tell about Auntie, but my favorite comes from her son Kevin. They had been visiting Kevin’s uncle in Alexandria and Kevin told Auntie that he wanted to get back to her house in Upsala in time to watch the Preakness horse race on television.

The speed limit on County Road 17 is 55, so Kevin was doing 60.  Auntie said, “You drive slow Kevin”. Kevin stepped it up a bit and a little while later, Auntie spoke up again. “We’ll never get there on time at this speed.”. Kevin responded: “Ma, I don’t want to get a ticket.” , but he dutifully stepped it up again.

There was silence for a while and then: “Kevin, why don’t you just pull over and let me drive”.  Kevin was driving a four-wheel drive pickup. Auntie was 90 years young at the time. We miss you Auntie. 

Tonight is the first annual gala for the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization. The gala is branded as “KALSONI”, a Samali term meaning “Trust and collective confidence”.   I will be the emcee of the event which is being held at The Park Event Center in Waite Park.  Tickets are still available at www.cairomn.org   I hope to see you there.

“I was born to have fun”.  Leone Larson Hagstrom 1922-2013