| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Sep 17 2010 : 1:19:56 PM
The other day, I received a wonderful email from my favorite, extremely tickled pink, 78-year-young aunt. My cousin, now in her early forties, is about to bless our family with my aunt's very first grandchildren - a set of twins! You could read the excitement, love and giddiness between every line of my aunt's email! I couldn't be more overjoyed by this news, but I'm especially excited for my dear aunt, whom I know will make the best grandmother ever! When reading her message, the warm memories came flooding in of all the wonder and love my aunt and uncle have brought into my life, especially during my childhood. Then I remembered an email I sent to our farmgirl sister Patti a little while ago, explaining how I became a farmgirl at heart, and decided I would really like to celebrate my aunt by sharing a glimpse of my personal farmgirl heritage with all of you, too!
I am a very lucky girl, indeed. When I was younger, my aunt and uncle owned a 20 acre farm in RI and it was my favorite place to be - each season, each visit held a wonderful new experience and memory. My favorite memory is when we went out into their woods and cut down our own Christmas trees, dragging them back in the snow! But there are so many others... I remember when, unbeknownst to our parents, my aunt or uncle would take us out to the barn and pull open an old wooden drawer to sneak us a piece of cube sugar! We'd giggle, take a bite and then give the rest to the horses! There was always some wonderful smell wafting up from the kitchen - I would spend what seemed like eternal hours sitting on a stool by the stove, listening to John Denver (my aunt's favorite) on the radio while stirring whatever was in her pot (my favorite was her homemade pudding - yu-u-um!). They had a few barnyard dogs that we'd dress up in old clothes and bonnets and pretend they were our babies - God bless them, they were patient animals! We'd go baling hay with them every year, too. Much to my horror, though, one year, in exchange for our hard labor, my aunt and uncle gave us my pet lamb - for the freezer! Couldn't eat lamb for YEARS thereafter... One time we went picking wild blueberries in the woods - it was so much fun! Afterward, my aunt made a huge batch of jam that we must've eaten for an entire winter! Another time, one of their neighbor farmers got hold of a giant telescope. We had a huge bonfire and cookout in the field, then took turns trying to reach the moon and stars... We actually could see the surface of the moon! It was unbelievable! And she had this amazing old piano that she'd play whenever we got together. Her farmhouse was a dream. I loved the creaky wood floors, the flakes of snow on the panes of glass, the old potbelly stove warming the entry... I loved the sounds of crickets, the low of the barn animals, and the garden snakes that would send us reeling and screaming out deep into the fields. Life at their farm was, for me, a storybook come to life!
My aunt and uncle were warm, loving, hysterically funny... salt of the earth and bright as the stars. They were hardworking shepherds, taking on their roles in community, church and family with a heartiness of spirit like I've never known otherwise. My uncle passed a few years ago, and we all miss him dearly. My cousin laughs, convinced that while he is up there in Heaven, my uncle set his mind out to have a good, long talk with God about sending her these babies! And if you knew him, you'd know that he had a way about him that was just irresistable - surely even the Good Lord Himself cannot refuse his requests, either! My aunt has always been the family historian, our beloved memory keeper, weaving the generations and their stories into one incredible tapestry of family heritage. She is extremely creative and talented (THE inspiration to my inner crafter), very handy (a veritable do-it-yourself goddess) and an incredibly gifted cook (Julia Child couldn't light a candle to this woman)! And I love every moment being with her. Now she resides in Florida and, sadly, we don't get to see each other much anymore... but whenever I need advice, suggestions or just a wonderful hour or so of family history, we share a cup of tea while visiting by phone. She is an absolute delight; not only my dearest aunt, but one of my closest friends! When the time comes, and the baton is passed to me, the next family eldest, I assure you, I will keep all of these memories alive.
To help celebrate the gift of the farmgirl spirit she evoked in me, and to celebrate the gift she will be receiving of her very first grandchildren at the age of 78, please say a prayer for my Aunt Eleanor. Please ask God to give her many, many years ahead of health and strength so that she can delight in these wonderful blessings who will soon be gracing our lives - and so that they, too, will come to know and cherish everything about their wonderfully witty, deeply loving, amazingly talented, and incredibly inspirational Grandma.
And when you all have a moment, I'd also really love to hear about YOUR farmgirl heritages and their blessings that helped shaped the farmgirls YOU are today!
Hugs,
Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| HealingTouch |
Posted - Sep 25 2010 : 6:42:13 PM
Whatever you think. After the babies are born we can do a card shower at your cousins for all of them. I'm a nurse also. Prayers and blessings to you all. Keep us posted.
Blessings and Peace,
Darlene
Sister 1922
God first, everything else after!
DNA doesn't make us sisters, Love does!
The road to a friends house is never to long!
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| Ninibini |
Posted - Sep 25 2010 : 5:50:00 PM
Oh! That is SO sweet, Darlene! I don't know - what do you think? That's just such a sweet, thoughtful idea! She might really like some farmgirl hugs and celebration sent her way... but she's also funny about things sometimes... I don't know!? What should I do? I hadn't even considered that!
My aunt lives in Florida, actually, and my cousin/her daughter lives in Rhode Island. (I'm just outside east of Pittsburgh... I guess you could say we do have our vacation getaway options! LOL!) My cousin is having twin boys ('Sorry! 'Forgot to mention that in my post a couple of days ago! Duh!), and they are due to arrive in February. My cousin has had ongoing back problems from an old injury, so her doctor plans to induce her; but she is still working hard as a nurse and planning to do so as long as she can up 'til her due date. Nothing is going to break that girl's stride, I assure you! ;) My aunt is planning to fly up in late January, but since the possibility of my cousin going in earlier to deliver does exist (due to age, twins, physical limitations, etc.), I would really like to see my Aunt go up for the holidays, too, if possible. 'Just not sure if she can do it that soon... And she is already concerned about finding winter clothes for herself. Being in Florida, she really only has warm weather gear and light sweaters. "By hook or by crook," she'll be ready, though! Nothing will keep her away from her beloved daughter and grandbabies! :)
Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and prayers - you are just SO sweet! God bless you! Hugs - Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| HealingTouch |
Posted - Sep 25 2010 : 5:14:32 PM
Oh what a blessing she has been to you. How wonderful to have such loving relatives. Is her daughter near her so she can see the babies often? Do they know what she's having and when? I think we should give her a card shower. What do you think? Where in Pa are you? Keep us posted.
Blessings and Peace,
Darlene
Sister 1922
God first, everything else after!
DNA doesn't make us sisters, Love does!
The road to a friends house is never to long!
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| Ninibini |
Posted - Sep 25 2010 : 08:37:30 AM
Thank you, Sherrye - I am SURE your grandkids will treasure memories of time spent with you and Papa on the farm! There is nothing like special time spent with people we love - grandparents, especially! The farm part is just a bonus blessing! :) I think we are always best remembered through the wonder-filled eyes of dearly loved children, don't you? Hugs - Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| sherrye |
Posted - Sep 25 2010 : 07:58:09 AM
i so enjoyed your story too. i think its a fine thing to have memories of farm life. i hope my GKs feel the same about papa and i. we so love the farm and being able to make do with what we have. you will keep the story going for your aunt also just as you did sharing with us. thanks happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| Ninibini |
Posted - Sep 24 2010 : 10:25:42 AM
Thanks, Diane! You are SUCH a peach! Thank you for prayers for my aunt - I really, really want the best for her! Every prayer is a blessing! A big hugs, and many blessings to you, too! :) ...Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Sep 24 2010 : 06:33:34 AM
Nini, don't feel silly. I love your story, I read it and almost felt like I was there with you. I am sending prayers to your wonderful aunt, that she has many years to enjoy her grandchildren. Thanks for sharing.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
Happy to be a "Raggedy Ann" in a Barbie World! |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Sep 23 2010 : 8:38:14 PM
Thanks, Laurie! I just spoke to my aunt yesterday... She is in the process of sewing some baby buntings for the twins to come home in! She's making them out of courderoy and decorating them with Winnie the Pooh! I haven't heard her so perky and excited about anything in years! Since my uncle passed, she has been lonely. Now all she can think of is what clothes to make, what help my cousin will need, what recipes and memories she needs to record... She's SO adorable! I'm just sooo excited for everyone! I promised to make scrapbooks for the babies, but I'm also going to make a special brag book for Grandma, too! When we had our son, she carried his picture around and showed him to everyone she met! (Still shows him off, actually! LOL!) Can you just imagine how much more excited she is going to be with her own grandchildren? Oh, my... Such a wonderful blessing! WONDERFUL! Life is just so good... So SO good! :)
To be honest, after I posted this, I felt a little silly about it... but I just can't help wanting to share the excitement and memories with all of my farmgirl friends!!! Good things are meant to be shared! :)
Thank you so much for your prayers for my aunt - they mean the world to me! God bless you, too! :)
Hugs - Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| laurentany |
Posted - Sep 23 2010 : 8:21:17 PM
Nini- What a wonderful history! May God Bless your Aunt with many more years of good health and the love of her wonderful family.
Smiles,
Laurie
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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