Spinella Farm

After blogging yesterday, I received an email from a relative whose grandmother was my grandfather's sister. She told me that she follows my blog closely and enjoys reading about the days when Grandpop farmed because it helps her picture what life was like on her Great Grandparent's farm.

I got to thinking about this and how if the tables were turned how I would feel if my grandfather grew up on a farm and moved away while I was raised in suburbia like my cousin was. While I don't find anything that would have been wrong with that circumstance, I'm glad that I was the one whose grandfather decided to stay and make farming his vocation.

I replied to my cousin's email by stating that Michener once wrote that he lived and travelled all over the world but always kept one foot in Bucks County, Pa. where he was raised. I told my cousin that she still has a toe hold in the family farm because of her relationship with me.

There are days that I think about the day when I won't be involved in the farm. I have made it a point to tell my children how special it is, all 13.7 acres that are left. They get the point. Where they end up is probably where I will end up because my wife and I would like to be close to our grandchildren.

I don't know if my cousin knows it but my grandfather had to buy our farm from his father. I know that this had been a point of contention with other family members. But I never heard Grandpop complain about it. That was his way. If that was what he had to do to be where he wanted to be then he was going to do what he had to do. I think he can be assured wherever he is that his legacy is in good hands with the same attitude.