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The Butterscotch Candy

  • She stood 4’11 and he was 6’2. There may have been an enormous difference in their height, but their hearts had little space between them. Two wonderful people that came together and made a great life. Together they built a family and a farm. A home, if you will. This was a place that so many us in our family continue to relish in the memories of; the memories of a time gone by.

    John and Anna were my great grandparents and their union brought about the birth of 19 children. It's difficult to imagine the life they lived on that farm working and raising such an incredible family. I can only think that this took immense strength and even more patience. More than most of us could ever fathom.

    After the birth of their 18th child, there was an article written about my family and how my great grandmother would have to peel 3 bushels of potatoes per week. It astonishes me. In the article my grandmother states, “They keep me pretty busy, but I wouldn't trade one of them for anything in the world.”

    I was only 7 years old when my great grandmother passed away and I hadn't been born when my great grandfather passed on. However, I do remember some significant things about my beautiful great grandmother, Anna.

    I remember watching her churn butter on the porch of the old farm that I loved so much. This memory brings back such warmth to my heart. I also remember the huge statue of the Blessed Mother that stood tall on the front lawn. My great grandmother was a devoted Catholic woman and as sweet as the cream that fills a cup of coffee.
    I recall running through the feilds with my notebook in hand and writing poetry amongst the wild flowers. Those were some of the most lovely moments of my life. There was a sense of easiness, a softness, a sense of peace everyone had when they were there on that farm.

    My sister's, my cousins, and I would run off to the barn and climb the rickety steps onto the loft and swing high into the air. We would land, giggling, upon the mound of hay that lay beneath us. It was inevitable that I would break out in hives as I was allergic to the hay. I never cared. I continued to climb and jump ignoring what was to come that night. The itching and uncomfortable way I felt had no space in my mind for the playfulness of my heart would ALWAYS win out!

    It was crowded there at that farm. It didn't matter when you were there, it was always crowded. The family was huge and there was no way around it. No one ever seemed to notice, however. The door was always open and you always felt welcome. My sisters and my cousins, as well as myself, would camp out together in the living room late at night as we prepared to sleep.

    One very significant memory I have is when my great grandmother would settle us down for the night. She would tell us to hurry and close our eyes. She would say that the sandman would come and put dust in our eyes and it would put us to sleep. One might think this would frighten a child, but it did not. In fact, it intrigued us. I can recall laying there with one eye open searching for this sandman; just hoping to get a glance. My great grandmother would also tell us that if we were good, and we slept as we were told to, that the sandman would leave us a treat under our pillow. We were as good as our silly young laughter would allow us to be, but it never mattered. We always awakened with that treat under our pillow. A butterscotch candy.

    To this day, I still love the taste of butterscotch candy. In fact, I have a candy dish in my own living room filled to the brim with butterscotch candy. It's there as an offer to anyone that enters my home. It's there in remembrance and honor of my great grandparents and the life they lived.

    There are so many more stories and so many more memories that transpired on that farm. The rides on Uncle Charlie's tractor, feeding the cows, and watching the chickens in the coop. It's all important. It's all part of my families history. A history that was richly filled with togetherness and work ethic and perseverance. Qualities that have been passed down from generation to generation. Qualities I have instilled in my own sons and, God willing, they will instill in their own children when the time comes.

    Until then, I will have my own butterscotch candies in my own living room... just waiting for a moment when I can share a small part of what was given to me on that farm, love...

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