by Cora and Jack's Mom
I sometimes ask myself if I made the right decision moving away from where I grew up. Today, that sticks in my mind. The farm that I once new in Northern Minnesota changed very drastically today. A house that I ran to from the bus will no longer be there. My mom was still at work and my dad was out in the barn doing chores or grinding feed with Grandpa; Grandma in the house making carmel rolls or canning vegetables from the garden. I knew I always had something to do rather than my homework, so of course I was going over there!
It has been empty for a little over a year now, and coming home to visit was hard while the farm house was empty. Knowing how hard it is for me, I can't imagine how hard it is for those that grew up living in it. I lived across the driveway, but I guess it is the many trips into the cellar, giving Prudance a bath in the big tub upstairs, spending the night when my cousins were in town, and all of the family gatherings that grew and grew through the years in that house.
Maybe it is the fact that I have a lot of time to think right now being on bed rest, but missing family in times like this seems appropriate. Many people ask me why I moved so far away, but I've always been one to drag Mom and Dad around to see different things. Dad told me before I left, "I'm not worried about you moving away, but I am worried about you and spending money"! Maybe that is what all Dad's are worried about with their little girls. Mom taught me one very important lesson for my travels and that is " I have never met a stranger"! Whether that is safe or not, it has never steered me wrong. I can say I have friends and family all over the world and I'm very grateful for that. And don't get me wrong...... if I wouldn't have left, I wouldn't have met my wonderful husband and would not be sitting here all day waiting for this baby to grow and be a big part of our lives. So I tell everyone who asks.... I miss my family so very much, but I'm here because of them, and they made me a strong and independent woman!
So thank you for all of the memories and many more to come!!!
In memory of the Nilson farm house!
