Monday, April 4, 2011

Reflections Past and Present

My thoughts have been somewhat in a jumble not totally sure where I want to go with this post. Perhaps it's in part because of a number of events - my dad passing away on March 6, my last uncle on my dad's side passing away on March 27, and several other acquaintances experiencing similar losses in the past month along with important decisions needing to be made yet not hurried. But I'm going to start by sharing an aerial photo of my dad's farm from the early 1960s. It brings back many childhood memories for me.


In this picture to the far left are five chicken coups in a row that were used to house chickens before my time. Next to them are two red buildings side by side. The one closest to the driveway was used to raise chicks for laying hens. I'm not sure what the red building furthermost from the drive was used for. The next red building along the driveway was a combination equipment and corn shed. Then of course comes the large red barn which during my life time was used to house farm equipment, straw, chickens, and sometimes a few other livestock as hobbies by us children. Beyond that was another corn crib and a gray colored chicken house that can't be seen in this picture. The red shed between the barn and the house was mostly a storage shed and at times a garage. It also contained an outhouse where Dad recalls old Sears catalogs were used. As for the farm land Dad grew mostly corn and wheat though he occasionally also farmed oats and barley. Of course, we also had a very large farm patch in which we grew most of the vegetables we ate. Dad also grew lots of fruit trees and harvested some raspberries and blackberries that grew wild in hedge rows and woods.


A beautiful sign of Spring
Bright spots in the midst of lostness



Lastly, but not least, I want to highlight a book that I just recently read. Especially in light of the experiences I and my family have had recently, it is an encouragement to push on and to remember that we'll all be reunited again some day in the future. As I'm writing this I'm thinking of the song "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God." So while I'm experience some feelings of lostness right now, I'm ultimately a part of a much larger family that I'll experience in  a much greater way when I get to Heaven. And that larger family will include my more immediate family that I'm missing now.


And if you have 15 minutes this is worth watching.
Eric Whitacre is a talented composer and director.

15 comments:

  1. Sorry for your losses. Spring is here and means new growth, but I am sure is difficult when loss is involved.
    I like you farm photo. Good memories I am sure.

    LOVELY blue.

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  2. Tim - Thank you for your visit to my blog and your kind comment! I am very sorry to hear about recent passings in your family. I LOVE the aerial shot of the farm. Farms are close to my heart as my Mom and Dad both grew up on farms.

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  3. What a wonderful keepsake that farm photo is and from someone not overly familiar with farm buildings, I found it interesting to learn what everything was used for.

    I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. I've just lost both of my grandparents in the last six weeks, and I find the situation all the more difficult without my dad, who passed away a few years ago at 56. I can fully appreciate the loss of a parent, and I can also say brighter days full of nothing but wonderful memories are just down the road.

    Be well ~Andrea~

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  4. Tim - Once again, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I'm much older than you, and both my parents have been gone for a few years now. I can remember when my dad phoned with the news, "Mom's gone." My instant reaction was, no, she's here with me now. Both my parents are with me now. I feel them here, and I see them in both my children and in my wife who came to love them as much as I do.

    The aerial photo is a gem, and your explanation is is very helpful. I'd love to read about moments you recall there and what you remember seeing and feeling then. I'd also love to read a bit about the history of the farmstead.

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  5. What a wonderfull place to bring up a large familly, Tim.
    It is so difficult to lose one parent. We are around them like chickens even when we are living elsewhere and married. Time flows so quickly.
    The flowers are alone but they are beautiful though. I like them both.

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  6. I am sorry about your loss – it is very hard when people we love are taken from us. I enjoyed looking at your farm – it sure was a large place. I think you should, if you have not already, go there and take several hundred pictures. I wish I had done that with my parents houses, but I did not, and I regret it now.

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  7. thanks for the book recomendation as you know I like 'em

    both books and heaven

    those sure are big outbuildings- one purdy farm

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  8. I'm so sorry to hear about your losses! The farm is beautiful as are your memories.

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  9. Bonjour et merci pour ces superbes fleurs

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  10. Thanks, Dawn. Glad you like the farm photo. Many good memories on the farm - playing hide and seek, catching fireflies, homemade ice cream, family devotions, and much, much more.

    Thanks, horst in edmonton. The farm will always be beautiful in my memory.

    Thanks, kerri. Farms are great places for a child to grow up on.

    Thanks, rural revival. Sorry for your losses, too. But as you say, the loss though painful at times, is made much easier to bear the many good memories we have of our loved ones.

    Thanks, ted roth. Dad does live on in so many ways. I intend to share stories of my life on the farm from time to time. Thanks for your interest.

    Thanks, cergie. It was a wonderful place for me and my siblings to grow up on. It and they will always live on in my memories.

    Thanks, vagabonde. I have taken a number of pictures at the homestead both in years past and recently. They will be valued.

    Thanks, paige. Glad you appreciate the book recommendation and glad you like heaven, too.

    Thanks, france. Glad you enjoyed the flowers.

    Thanks, eg wow. Glad you enjoyed the post.

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  11. I loved the video, Tim, and was inspired by it. I had never heard of him before. I also love the concept of the book you just read. If we cannot believe we'll meet our loved ones again, we are of all people most miserable. I totally believe I'll see my parents and brother again! Thanks for sharing all of this with us.

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  12. Thanks, ginnie. Glad you enjoyed the video. It was amazing to me. And heaven is so real - a reason for hope and joy.

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  13. That is indeed a beautiful farm and wonderful memories to grow up on. Beautiful pictures and a nice arial view too.

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  14. Thank you so much for your visit Tim. It is how I found you here, and I am so glad I did. What a wonderful blog you have! I am so very sorry for your losses in such a short period of time. It sounds like you have some very wonderful memories of some very wonderful people.

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