Shinning Star, Our Family Jewel, Aunt Muriel Lien

Imagine a 6 year old sent to get the mail. No big deal if you just walk to
the mail box or take it from the mail drop on your porch. Well, that is not
what happened. In the small community of Brevik, Minnesota in the early
1940’s, we had the Brevik Post Office. My Aunt Muriel, two uncles and my
Grandmother ran Lien’s Resort. Just walk up the hill, past several cabins
and you would be at the Post Office. Not me. I picked up the mail with no
problem but finding my way back home was. I wandered around the cabins,
and the lake until Fran Berger found me, picked me up and held me tight.
She knew I was lost. She walked me back to my Aunt’s waiting arms. I was
crying and so very scared. You can never imagine how wonderful it felt as
she held me tight and wiped away my tears.

I was plagued with impacted ear wax. The only way to remove this was with
a syringe and warm water. Patiently Aunt Muriel would warm water, put it
in a glass, hand me a towel to put on my shoulder to hold a pan that would
catch the water. She would slowly squeeze the syringe filled with water into
my ear. If this were done too fast, I would get dizzy. Finally, after flushing
with the warm water, the core of wax would be freed. Then in a teaspoon she
would warm some oil over the burner on the stove. Then it was dropped into
my ears and covered with a cotton ball. Only someone as gentle and patient
would take the time to care for a niece as Aunt Muriel did.

When any of my seven siblings were sick, she would cook for us the things we
liked. I know that is why we recovered so fast. If she was cooking some-
thing and knew it was our favorite, it would arrive in the least expected
time. One of my favorites was fish soup. She made the best. It was made
with fish stock, barley and veggies. What a treat when that grey soup arrive.
Everyone knew it was for me.

Thoughtful, kind, and always thinking of others, is how she lived her life.
She was also a full time caregiver for my Grandmother who was riddled
with arthritis and an uncle who was epileptic. When my Mother was so ill
with kidney disease, Aunt Muriel was our angel. She attended to Mother’s
needs and the needs of our family. I am not sure we could have managed
without her and the other members of the Brevik community.

Birthdays in our home were celebrated with your choice of meal, cake,
presents and company. On my 12th birthday, my Mother was in the hospital
giving birth to my twin brothers, Ronald and Donald. I knew Mom would
not be able to fix my birthday cake and I was feeling very dejected. I was
happy to have baby brothers, but the day before my birthday? Well you
may have guessed it. The birthday cake came through the front door
followed by the ever thoughtful Aunt Muriel. My birthday was celebrated
with her homemade cake, ice cream and presents.

I loved spending the night with her. It was not hard to pretend you were a
Princess because that is how she treated you. She fixed meals you liked, she
showed me how to tat and embroider. In the morning she bathed me, put on
the best smelling powder, combed my hair and put it in French braids. Oh
was I ever cute! Then from a special drawer she would take out a box
containing glass vials of perfume. She would break off the tip and put the
perfume on me. After breakfast, I was ready get on the school bus. Up the
hill, she would walk with me and wait until the bus came. I would board the
bus and wave good-by. Little did she know, but bouncing on the bus of
twelve miles with that perfume made me queasy. I was so glad to see the
school and get fresh air. It took me a long time to tell her to please forget the
perfume because I knew it would hurt her feelings.

I will never forget how upset she got when someone was teasing a child. She
spoke with disgust, “Don’t do that, he is just a child.”

Three years ago, she got a rap on her door. She did not recognize either of
men but graciously invited them in. Soon the coffee, treats, and conversation
flowed. The two men were researchers and writers from Brevik, Norway. They
were interested in the history of Brevik, Minnesota. As the oldest member of the
community, she was able to tell them its history. They kept in touch, sharing
more information and again about a year later, they rapped on her door. She
knew how she would be spending the next several hours and looked forward
to it.

As a Lady of 92 years, her interest in family, community, and world events, is
unmatched. A conversation on almost any subject can be had. She never
ceases to amaze me.

I am only recalling a few of the very special times spent with Aunt Muriel. I
am sure many of you in the community have your own special recollections
of this special lady. She is a storehouse of information, so someone is always
calling her or stopping in to get some questions answered. She is never too
busy for a cup of coffee and a treat.

I thank God daily that he has allowed us to have our Family Jewel with us
for all these years. Thank you Aunt Mona for all you have done for all
of us. We love you.


Gwen Welk Workman
July 14, 2010