A Trunk of Memories I

The two stories in A Trunk of Memories I, "St. Eiderus" and "Hansum Grohs and Johann Strauss" are tied to the Dithmarschen, North Germany, and the heritage of the artist and author, Hans Friedrich Grohs (1892-1981). These stories published by Frauken Grohs Collinson and Rose Mary McKinney are told in three languages: English, High German, and Low German. Included in the print edition of the book are sixteen artworks by Hans Friedrich Grohs. A unique style of storytelling, "St. Eiderus"...
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The two stories in A Trunk of Memories I, "St. Eiderus" and "Hansum Grohs and Johann Strauss" are tied to the Dithmarschen, North Germany, and the heritage of the artist and author, Hans Friedrich Grohs (1892-1981). These stories published by Frauken Grohs Collinson and Rose Mary McKinney are told in three languages: English, High German, and Low German. Included in the print edition of the book are sixteen artworks by Hans Friedrich Grohs. A unique style of storytelling, "St. Eiderus" opens with a narrative of a stormflood at the edge of time when people interpreted such disaster as the fury of God and God's punishment for man's sin. It reveals also the hope of redemption and the strong flame within man's heart in search of the light of life. The mind travels inwardly to the heights of aloneness while the main character St. Eiderus barely survives imprisoned surrounded by walls of death, yet faith and circumstance reveal a light within him to find a fortitude in God greater than any problem. His release from hell into life finds death to become a friend. God planted fear in the soul as truly as he planted hope and courage. In the story it becomes the sound of a song which rings the mind into the avoidance of danger. To St. Eiderus it becomes a conscious signal. The main character in "Hansum Grohs and Johann Strauss" is a violin resounding chords in unison with what we hear as our heart replies. The howling winds vibrate in harmony with God's symphony of storm sweeping furiously over the North Sea where a fishing boat attempts to reach the harbor. Its skipper, the fisherman Hansum Grohs, lets prayers of symphonic gratefulness stream from his violin as the boat's lines are tied to the harbor poles. On shore, a surprised Johann Strauss overhears the sounds. The story narrates how the two men meet and form a unique lifelong friendship. This true story by Hans Friedrich Grohs embraces the love he held for his father and grandfather in a personable memorable way.