On my mother's side I am a first generation American. Like many Icelanders, my mother can trace her ancestors back for generations. My mother, her parents, and five brothers, found their way to America via quite an adventure. Her father, a ship captain who was often away at sea, came to the conclusion that he needed to know his family better, so they sold all of their belongings, bought a Coast Guard cutter, and together set sail for several years. They traveled much of the Atlantic making landfall in various parts of Europe and Africa until their journey came to an end in America, and it was decided that this is where they would remain. Their travels are filled with many adventures worthy of any bard, but that is a tale entirely in and of itself.
My story begins as the product of college sweethearts marrying and starting a family. Despite the fact that I was born and raised in the United States of America, I still have many ties with Iceland, beginning with my name — Lóa. It is an uncommon name even in Iceland, the story of which I shared in a blog post titled, What is in a Name? previously written for Ventec Life Systems. I have had the privilege of visiting Iceland several times. There have been many reasons and opportunities to visit Iceland between my mother's deep-seated Icelandic roots, and a plethora of extended family. Though when it comes to relations in Iceland, if one looks back enough generations, they will find they are related to nearly everyone on the island!
Each of my visits has been filled with wonderful memories and I have multiple blogs which detail various adventures from my most recent trip in 2019 (The Land of Ice and Fire, VOCSN Chills Out, VOCSN Goes Off-Road, and When You Simply Cannot Un-hear Something). Trips to Iceland during my childhood allowed me to experience freedom in a way that is not possible for the youth in the United States. Iceland has very little crime, which makes it possible for children to safely roam and explore more freely than they are able to in America. These trips also gave me a taste for all things dairy and chocolate, particularly of the variety that can only be purchased in Iceland. I believe it is the small things that maintain the link to the places from whence one's ancestors hailed, such as food, clothing, games, and artwork. All any of us are, is an amalgamation of our parents, from whence they came, the places we have been, the things we have done and seen, bits and pieces of our friends and family, combining with our own interests, tastes, and talents. I am privileged to be among the few who can claim descent from one of the world's most beautiful and unique countries.
Aside from tempting my pallet with less than easy to find foodstuffs, my Icelandic heritage has become a part of who I am in a variety of ways large and small. My spinal cord injury leaves me easily susceptible to cold, but fortunately, like many true Icelanders, I have no aversion to wearing wool, and in fact I am quite partial to it. While I can be very much a girly girl, a trait which I suspect is purely Loa, when the time calls for it, I am ready to get down and dirty, whether it be hiking, horseback riding, or helping bring the cows in for milking… Yes, I did that on one of my trips to Iceland when I was just a girl of seven. I suspect many who know me well will be surprised by the fact that I actually ended up enjoying a day amongst the cattle. I will admit that my suburban upbringing had me vomiting at the smell before I could tolerate going into the barn, yet I still managed to be the most helpful and engaged child present. I suppose there must be some sort of affinity for animal husbandry deep in my genes, as my maternal, Icelandic grandfather was born and raised on a pig farm, while my German, paternal grandfather grew up working his family's dairy farm.
My tastes have also become a mixture of my appreciation for austere and clean lines, infused with a love of intricate and ornate detail. My wardrobe deviates from the largely black wardrobe favored by many Icelanders in that it is composed of a variable rainbow of colors; however, I believe my preference for white linens and tableware stems from a similar appreciation for simplicity. When it comes to Christmas, I admittedly deck the halls from top to bottom, but a large portion of my Christmas decorations fall into the category of Scandinavian santas, elves, and gnomes. I possess an incredible love of music which was facilitated by my Afi (Icelandic for grandfather), which I believe is an appreciation held by many Icelanders.
I am passionate about education, art, nature's majesty, travel, and good food, which all seem to be passions held by the Viking peoples either in the past, present, or both. My life has had its fair share of challenges, and though I cannot claim to be as fierce as a Viking shield maiden, I do believe much of my willpower and drive to fight through my challenges derives from my Icelandic heritage. Icelanders were the Vikings who dared to brave stormy seas, settling in a wild, harsh, untamed land. I believe that the vestiges of the traits which allowed these people to thrive in Iceland's beautifully harsh landscape, have given me an innate and deep-seated drive to not be conquered by life's often harsh realities.
Regardless of one's heritage, travel home and abroad is an opportunity to see more of our world, encounter new and interesting people, as well as a chance to learn about ourselves. My forays to Iceland have been filled with natural wonder, were enlightening, and always accompanied by abundantly warm hospitality. I encourage anyone, whether or not they have near or distant ties to the Land of Ice and Fire, to explore the culture, land, and peoples of Iceland. You may be surprised to find how pieces of your past become a part of who you are today.
An Extraordinary Icelander Here and Abroad (by: Iceland Here and Abroad)
Strength, perseverance, beauty, and pride in her Icelandic heritage are just a few of the ways to describe Lóa Taylor Griesbach. She is a first generation American and her ties to Iceland remain strong.
Lóa is the founder of Venting with Loa where she aims to share her experiences and, ever so eloquently, writes of her many trips to Iceland, Hawaii and of ordinary days hanging out with her family. She has reached and inspired people of all ages and life circumstances. She states on her site, “Before my injury I was a ballet dancer, avid reader, clothes obsessed, enjoyed traveling, and slightly OCD. Since my injury I have added to my interests by developing a taste for working out, cooking, crafts, and apparently writing blogs. Who knew?”
We don't know what life will throw our way but for Lóa, after experiencing an accident that changed her life in many ways at the young age of just eighteen, it did not alter her Viking spirit. Exemplifying the spirit of a strong and independent Icelandic woman, Lóa says, “I don't fit the box or follow the rules… I am too darn stubborn to listen to what anybody says.” Get inspired by Lóa by visiting her youtube video here.
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