The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.1981, Síða 16

14
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
AUTUMN, 1981
mentioned particularly, W. J. Lindal and
W. Kristjanson, who respectively, have
given the longest service as Editors-in-
Chief. Just this spring Arilius Isfeld retired
after serving twenty-six years on the Maga-
zine Board, the last few years as assistant
editor. His “Good-bye” words were: “I
loved every minute of it!”
As I ponder on the good work which has
been done I like to think of the wonderful
legend of Draupnir, the magic ring of Odin,
which every nine days dripped little droplets
of gold, to be formed into new and more
precious rings. What fine and sound ideas are
to be found in our own Norse Mythology!
The legend of the Ring of Odin symbolizes
the fertility of the mind — the evolution of
one thought from another, as drop falls from
drop. Ideas do not cling fast to their parents,
but live an independent life from the time
they are bom; and the idea or thought, when
once awakened, does not slumber but con-
tinues to grow and develop from moment to
moment, from man to man, from generation
to generation, evolving constantly new
ideas until it has grown into a unique system
of thought. If we, as our ancestors did, make
this gold ring typify the historical connec-
tion between times and events, a ring con-
stantly multiplying and increasing, with
ring interlinked with ring in time’s onward
march, what a beautiful golden chain there
has been formed from life’s morning until
now!
The efforts of those gone before will
surely inspire us and spur us on to greater
deeds in the future. Many more wonderful
people will come forward to continue the
work. May the Icelandic Canadian continue
to flourish and shine ever more brightly in
the firmament of our cultural activities!
HELLO!
A Welcome to The Icelandic Canadian on its
Birthday in September, 1942.
Hello! — If you hear I am knocking,
I hope you will open the door:
“Who are you?” — I knew you would ask me,
You never have seen me before.
“Who am I?” — as yet I am no one
To somebody hoping to grow.
Today is my very first birthday.
I am starting by saying, “hello!”
“Oh ! — What is your mission?’ ’ you ask me,
I’ll tell you with juvenile pride,
For I am not timid nor bashful;
Why should I?, there’s nothing to hide.
Believe me: I’m coming to serve you.
As nobody served you before,
By adding some life to your living —
I hope you will open the door.
Dr. Sig. Jul. Johannesson