Astrid's Gift To Her Loved Ones

By Margery Kisby Warder

Astrid's Gift to Her Loved Ones is a collection of over one hundred poems and other writings primarily created by Astrid Kisby in her senior adult years. Most poems are illustrated by images now in public domain. Readers also learn about Astrid's life through her personal accounts, including taking readers into the house where her life began as the daughter of Swedish immigrants. Astrid's parents left Sweden in 1912 to labor for a better life working among Swedish people in rural Kansas. That first year, Astrid's mother worked for previously immigrated Swedish women, one of whom later created Astrid's baptismal dress. Her father farmed for Swedish men. In 1913, in a small rented house, Astrid arrived as their first American-born child. Astrid's writings, including several poems, paint images of her simple childhood home life as the immigrants' daughter before exposing readers to her adult years which began with a teaching position while still a teenager. She describes a surprising proposal followed by marriage and raising a family upon their farm. Astrid loved reading and researching topics for her writing and speaking. Her assignment notebook thickened as she joined other senior women for a poetry class during her years of widowhood. Rarely pursuing publication, most of her work sat in a notebook waiting for her children and others to value them after she was gone. Her daughter took responsibility for arranging the poetry and her mother's answers to questions from children and grandchildren so others could enjoy her wisdom and humor as well. Astrid penned her hopes of reaching ninety on the farm filled with memories of her decades there with her beloved husband and their four children. Within this book are Astrid's poems, her description of being the daughter of Swedish immigrants resettled in Kansas shortly before her birth, and her outlook upon almost a century of experiences. Besides her memoirs, Margery included her mother's early attempts to turn her captivating oral storytelling skills into written short stories and presentations into published words. A few tributes from those who knew and loved her complete the book. Astrid's faith in Jesus Christ, the assurance of her family's love, her love for "the country life," and her quiet humor carried her when little else could be counted upon. She longed to be a burden-bearer, an encourager to those who needed her help. Perhaps a few moments spent contemplating Astrid's gift to her loved ones will warm many other hearts and lighten loads carried today, too.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1533437475
• ISBN13: 9781533437471
• Release Date: May 2016
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.0" x 0.8" x 5.0"