The Icelandic connection - 01.03.2018, Side 35

Vol. 70#!
ICELANDIC CONNECTION
33
He helped my grandmother survive
through unspeakable grief and hardship. I
think she became a sort of a mother figure
in his life. He came to America at the age
of eighteen, having lost his own mother at
a young age. I was often aware of the depth
of his feelings, how deeply he sympathized
with those who were hurt or grieving.
I remember K. N.’s tears when
grandmother died. I also remember my
own tears when after he had passed away,
I was going through some papers that had
come from his room. There I came upon
a poem he had written at the time of her
death. His own grief was expressed, but he
didn't just mourn for himself, but for all of
us. This was so typical of him, this depth of
feeling and concern for others.
K. N.’s legacy of course, is bis poetry.
But speaking for my siblings and myself,
our dearest wish is that he also be
remembered for the very special person
be was. We all remember him with much
affection.
There aren’t words to say thank you
to all who have made this restoration and
re-dedication possible. I will ask God's
blessings on the memory of K. N. Julius,
the poet and the friend.
Til Stiinu litlu Geir
eftir K. N. Julius
Sidan fyrst eg sa pig her,
solskin Jiarf eg minna.
Gegnum lifid lysir mer
ljosid augna jainna.
150 years since the birth of K.N.
(Kristjan Niels Julius)
New CD from Baggalutur Solskinid \ Dakota
Reprinted with permission from Logberg-Heimskringla, originally courtesy of the
Embassy oflcelatid Washington newsletter, Vol. 2. No. 6 April 2010
When we visit the Heritage
Center at Icelandic State Park in
Mountain North Dakota, the Stephan G.
Stephansson monument at Gardar, ND
and K.N.’s (Kristjan Niels Julius) grave at
the ruins of the Pingvallakirkja outside of
Mountain, ND, we are reminded of the
past. How Stephan G., one of Iceland’s
most beloved poets, who lived at Gardar
with his family in the 1880s, before
moving to Markerville in Alberta, was able
to overcome unbelievable difficulties.
We are also reminded that this month,
on 7 April 2010, 150 years have passed
since K.N., who also is one of the most
beloved Icelandic poets, was born. He left
Iceland in 1878 and lived in Pembina,
ND till his death in 1936. Last year in
June in nearby Grafton, ND Kristin Hall
celebrated her 100th birthday.She and
her generation and many much younger
people of Icelandic descent, both in the