Facing the Wind: Memories and Dreams

This compelling memoir was written by Robert Alastair Jensen. Robert traces his ancestral record back to the early 1700s. He describes the journeys of the generations before him as they make the bold, daring move from Norway and Denmark across the ocean to begin homesteading in North America. He chronicles his early life growing up in rural Saskatchewan during the 1940s, his career as a teacher, his experiences with fatherhood and family life, his retirement years, and his eventual struggles with cancer.

Weaving in the significant events of the times, including the Spanish Flu, the Depression, and World War Two, Jensen creates a rich backdrop for his family history while offering wisdom gleaned from generations of hardworking ancestors. Along the way, he reveals his love of literature and history as he references his favourite authors, their works and their impact on his journey through life.

He challenges himself with many questions all the while referencing the struggles of facing the wind.

Initially, he asks himself the question, "When will I be done?" His answer was "When I get to the last page." In an ironic but peaceful sense, the correct answer would have been, "The day I pass." He leaves this treasured gift for his entire family, his friends and the generations to follow.