Rooted

In Rooted, the author recounts the remarkable life of her mother, Doris, a woman shaped by faith, resilience, and love. The story begins in 1912, when Aagot Ostberg, a newly graduated nurse from Norway, immigrated to the U.S., where she started a family. Aagot and her husband welcomed their first daughter, Doris, born on a tugboat in New York Harbor. One more daughter and two sons followed, but when the youngest son was two years old, Aagot passed away.

All four children were placed in a Christian orphanage. Before her death, Aagot had instilled in her children a deep trust in God, introducing them to Jesus through songs and Bible stories. These early teachings would sustain Doris throughout her life.

Nearly a century later, the author spent many evenings with her mother, Doris, putting puzzles together and listening to stories of her childhood. These moments brought to life the places and challenges Doris had experienced as a child.

Rooted blends fact and fiction to tell the story of a woman who faced life’s hardships with unwavering faith in God’s love and care. It highlights the power of faith passed down through generations, and the strength found in God’s presence through life’s trials.