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Kurt Johnson
The pages of the past caught up to me last week in a most meaningful way. I’ve always known my roots were planted deeply here in Hamilton County, but a book that’s been in my family for several generations gave me an even broader perspective.
Ironically, I couldn’t read a word on the fragile pages since this family Bible was printed entirely in Danish, but the tale this historical artifact told me and my family was profound.
As shared in a story in this week’s ANR, my mother has been in possession of this family treasure for many years as the youngest and last surviving member of her six siblings. It was given to her by her mother, Agnes (Andersen) Christensen, the youngest of 10 siblings, many of whom are buried in the Kronborg cemetery.
Sitting in the church last week as my family presented the Bible in a brief but touching ceremony, my mind couldn’t help but wander. My great grandparents were founding members of St. John’s Church and many of their children, including my grandmother, were married there. I felt like those walls were speaking to me.
In the kaleidoscope of life, few threads are as vibrant and enduring as those of family heritage and faith. They weave together the stories of our past, the beliefs that guide us, and the traditions that shape our present. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, it becomes increasingly important to celebrate and cherish these foundational aspects of our identity.
In many ways, family heritage is a collage of memories, customs, and ancestral wisdom passed down through generations. I look forward to attending the annual aebleskiver feed each year at St. John’s, for example, as it brings back memories of the times my mother would serve up that tasty Danish dish. I feel welcome at that table, as are the hundreds of guests from all denominations who make the trip each year just past the Kronborg corner east of Marquette.
Danes have character and are often characters as well, based on my book of memories. As my mother shared last week with St. John’s members, “You can always tell a Dane. But you can’t tell ’em much. Well maybe that’s true, but I’m proud that this has been an occasion to bring my family all together and I’m proud that they all made the effort to be here.”
It’s where my three siblings and many of our extended family members all wanted to be on that day because celebrating family heritage and faith is more than a nostalgic homage to the past, it is a testament to our resilience and continuity as a people. In a rapidly changing world, where the pace of life often leaves us breathless, these anchors remind us of who we are and where we come from.
My ancestors no doubt cherished this unique Bible and it now has a permanent home in the church’s archives, where it belongs.
KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@ hamilton.net
