Friday, September 9, 2011

Going Home....

I was 3 years old when my grandfather died.  Shortly thereafter, my mother and father purchased "the homestead" - built by my (maternal) great grandfather and his brothers.....
It was home.....
My father and mother farmed the land and both also worked outside the home....
My father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a cancer of the marrow of the bone) at age 47 and died at the age of 50.  When he passed, my mother made a very painful decision to sell "the homestead" as we could not keep up the farming operations.  My oldest brother had just turned 18 and was still in high school, and my younger brother had just turned 10.....That was 37 years ago....

This past May, the homestead was sold at a foreclosure sale.  Good people that we know purchased it and invited us back to visit.  This past Sunday, I took my mother home....































64 comments:

A Primitive Homestead said...

The smile on your Mothers face had to be worth the adventure. I am sure it brought back so many memories of the time your family shared the homestead as a family. The homestead is wonderful. The winding road traveled to the house & barn. Felt like I was visiting myself. Blessins!
Lara

Kim said...

Oh Robin, I got all teary reading that. How special it must have been for your Mom. Years ago we owned an old country farm house we used in the summers. I remember one day a little old lady in her late 80's knocked on the door with her grandson. She said she had been born in the house. My mom invited them in and as she walked into the kitchen she started to cry. She sat and told us all her childhood memories from the house. It was a special afternoon.

Angela said...

Such a wonderful heartfelt post. And you Mom looks so good. Glad she is better after her bout of sickness. What memories must have been swarming thru her mind....going home. Heck, I fell in love with the place just looking at the pictures. Thanks for sharing
Hugs
Angela

prims by olde lady morgan said...

Robin,

GOOSEBUMPS!!!! So wonderful that you were able to do that for you mom!!!! wonderful pictures my friend, thanks for sharing! OLM

Anonymous said...

this was an amazing story, I feel the goosebumps from this one and the burning tears! Beautiful,

The Moonlit Stitch said...

Yes, tears, goosebumps, chills, all of the above! Your touching, beautiful words and pictures told such a story the smile on your mom's face - priceless! Those old homes and barns were built to last and thank God the friends who bought your old homestead will love & care for it! Thanks for sharing such a special story Robin ~*~Lisa

Deppen homestead 1862 said...

Oh, Robin~ such a heart touching time for your Mother & you~ Wow~ you got me on this one girl~
Teresa

Carol Stuck said...

Oh...such a sweet, sweet story. I am afraid this one brought tears to my eyes. Your mother looks like a very kind soul.

God bless!

hugs,
Carol

Traci~Moon Gypsy said...

OMGoodness, such a sentimental journey for you and your Mom. That sweet smile on your Mom's face says she still feels right "at home".

Thank you for sharing..

Blessings,
Traci

HomeSpunPrims said...

What a beautiful post Robin. Your mom looks so happy to visit the family farm. Blessings to your family. Lori

Rugs and Pugs said...

Robin ~
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful journey! Your mom is still a beauty.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

The Farmer's Attic said...

Just one word - PRICELESS!!!

Lucy

oldecrow said...

Thanks for sharing such a lovely trip back to your homestead. Your mother looks so happy. I'm sure there are tons of wonderful memories there.
Wanda
Olde Crow Mercantile

Farmhouse prims said...

Robin, such a touching story. I am so glad that you and your mom got to go home again. What a lovely place. Awesome memories. Hugs, Lecia

Nancy in WI said...

Thanks for sharing that! I have tears in my eyes just thinking of what you must be feeling. Oh, the good life!

Lil Raggedy Angie said...

Robin,
Im so glad you were able to make that journey with your mom ...so touching made me cry ! Precious memories thanks for sharing ! hugs lil raggedy angie

frontporchprims said...

What a wonderful post. I almost cried. What a wonderful thing to do to go back to your childhood and take your mother with you. I am so happy that you got to visit and see your farm. It has a beautiful lane and such an inviting feeling. I love the smile on your mom's face. Thanks for sharing and making my night better. -Steph-

Mary said...

Robin, What a very touching story. Thank you for sharing pic's of your family home and your mom. She looks so happy! What a wonderful daughter you are to bring back all those special memories for your mother.....you'd make any mother proud! Wishing for you a wonderful weekend! Hugs Mary

jennifer768 said...

Robin what a touching post.It definitely brought a few tears to this country gal's eyes. The homestead is awesome and I am sure it brought many wonderful memories back for you and your mom.By the way she is a lovely lady with a beautiful smile.Thank you for taking us along for the ride.Blessings and hugs,Jen

Dana~HomespunTreasures said...

What a wonderful and touching post. I enjoyed all the photos and the special memories you shared with us. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!! Have a a wonderful weekend.

Blessings,
Dana

Ronda said...

Priceless, these pictures speak a thousand words.

Blessings,
~Ronda

Unknown said...

Oh Robin this was such a touching post. Your photos took me home too. Your Mother's smile says a thousand words. Big gentle hugs to you my friend.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

How wonderful Robyn!
That place reminds me so much of the place I grew up in.
We had the long lane and everything, plus the barn and olden farm house.
Your mom looks happy indeed~
Happy Weekend,
Cindy

~The Boyd Homestead Farm~ said...

Oh, I'm wiping away a few tears reading this touching post! Your mom looks so happy being back for a visit of your old homestead and such wonderful memories you surely all have. I'm so glad you were able to go back and relive some special times. Beautiful pictures! Have a wonderful weekend Robin!
Hugs and blessings, Trish

Christine said...

I'm soooo pleased for you Robin and your mom! I know what a special place 'the old homeplace' means to me and your photos show awonderful place to grow up in!
It's great that good folks now own it.
Blessings
Christine

outjunking said...

Oh boy, this gave me chills. Your mom looks well and happy. You are a very good daughter it shows on your moms face.
You may just be a song bird you old cranky crow.
Lisa
P.S.
Beautiful homestead.

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

Alright, I'm wiping up the tears here with this post. What wonderful pictures and what a special thing to do for your mom. Your mother looks tickled pink in that last picture. She seems like such a lovely person! Two moves ago, I had to sell the family home where my grandmother and my dad grew up. Houses have such meaning, don't they?

Siobhán said...

What a beautiful post! That must have brought such memories back to your mother. The smile on her face says it all.

Meadowbrook Cabin Primitives said...

Hi Robin,

Wonderful heart touching memories for you and your Mom !
Thank you for taking us along !

Hugs,
Linda

renee said...

How special that you were able to take her back! I am sure she had many memories! Bittersweet. Love the photos, I hope that you have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Renee

basketsnprims said...

robin, what a beautiful post! I love the pics of the olde homestead and the one of your mom is priceless. thank you for sharing!
hugs, pam

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful and peaceful place it is. Your Mom looks so happy to be visiting the homestead once again to relive the memories.
Beautiful place and photo of your Mom.
Thanks for sharing.
Tamera
Country at heart

Shirlee said...

What a wonderful thing to be able to do for your mother! She will treasure that visit in her heart forever : ) Blessings, Shirlee

myomyohi said...

Love the trip down the winding gravel road, and the beautiful old barn. I grew up playing in an old barn like that, and those memories are still so vivid now. I'm glad you and your Mom made another memory that will stay with you long after she is gone. She looks like she enjoyed the trip.

~Madalynne~ said...

Thanks for taking us along on this special journey. I can't imagine what it felt like driving up that dirt road ~ like driving back through time. Looks like a special place to grow up . . . it must have been a heart wrenching departure for your family. Your mom is lucky to have you Robin.

Farm Field Primitives said...

What beautiful pictures! They look like they should be in a magazine. A what a special adventure you were able to share with your mom!! Thanks for sharing.
~Melissa~

Cat Haven Craft House said...

Robin,
The pictures are beautiful. It looks like such a peaceful spot. Your mom looks happy to be there. God bless you both for the tough time you've gone through. I'm glad there are smiles for you now. I'll be driving through Wisconsin today (along the Great River Road) and will be thinking of you and your mom!
Hugs and Prayers,
Cat Haven Crafts

Me and My Stitches said...

What a wonderful story - so glad that you and your mom were able to go back - she looks so happy to be there. And...that barn could really use a barn quilt!

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

And they say you can never go home again. This strikes a nerve with me. I tried to find my grandparents home the other day and had no luck. I dreamed about it and had a strong desire to see it. *sigh*
I am absolutely loving these pictures. Your Mother looks so happy. You did a very good thing, Robin. Warms my heart......
Warmest blessings,
Linda

Woman Seeking Center said...

There are rare times when someone visually weaves...

Pictures with emotions, words with history, present with past, joy with sorrow, fleeting, yet captured reality.

Passion on a ladder of levels.

There are rare times when someone creates a view to (and from) their heart, and shares it ~ giving a window to something beyond words.

So soulful, so heart filled, so touching that nothing can be said except for: 'thank you for allowing us to share this time-heart-tapestry you've woven'......

BumbleBeeLane said...

Bittersweet I'm sure but always wonderful to visit "home"..Your momma looked happy to see the old farm so many wonderful memories of raising kids and the simpler days.Glad it's going to good people.Hugs!~Amy

Linda said...

I have to wipe away the tears before I can finish typing this...what a touching post...your Mom's smile touched my heart...how bittersweet that must have been. It's nice that friends purchased the property!

jules said...

That is absolutely priceless...

Prims By The Water said...

Oh my gosh Robin, What a beautiful comment...it brought tears to my eyes seeing the homestead and your mom smiling..both my grandparents homesteads no longer exist where I spent my Summer's. Loved the tour! Take care, Janice

Raymond Homestead said...

What a beautiful place it was! My grandmother died of multiple myeloma. I had never heard of it at the time. I'm sure she has wonderful memories of the place!

Vicki said...

Oh My! This brought tears to my eyes I must say. How wonderful that your mother got to see the old farmstead again. Love this post! I know your mother was thrilled.

deb said...

what a beautiful post and I love the pictures!!! that barn is amazing...looks like its been there forever!!!! I guess sometimes you CAN go home!!!! thanks for the great tour!!!!

RURAL said...

There is such a quiet dignity in these images. As old as the farm is, the memories are keeping it young.

Your Mom, looks so much like my Grandmother did, she too lost her husband, and sold the family farm.

I am glad that she has the chance to revisit again.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Sherry Sutherby http://russ-stickacres.blogspot.com/ said...

Powerful post...so glad I stumbled upon your Blog.

Roberta said...

How amazing to know and have actually lived on the farm your great-grandparents built. What a beautiful barn and countryside. I'm glad you and your mom had the opportunity to visit the property again. I'm sure it holds many wonderful memories for both of you. ~Roberta

Lois--Huckleberry Lady said...

What a wonderful day you and your mother had!!! Memories....can't take that away. Your mom looks sooo happy, her face says it all!!!
Lois

oldgreymare said...

The photos combined with the music, brought the tears to my eyes...

Wish I could go home...
xx
z

Ann said...

I'm glad to see that your Mom is smiling in the photo. It must have been such a difficult time to be widowed and have to sell the homestead. So nice to have the option to visit again. ~Ann

Vicki said...

Oh, Robin, what a bittersweet post. I am so glad you got to go back. It looks like your Mom enjoyed it. I love your photos. I hope you frame them. The one with the gate open is my favorite. It must have been so hard on your Mom and you kids to lose your dad and the farm. This post brought tears to my eyes. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hi Robin

Thanks for sharing some of your personal memories and photos. I enjoyed your post.

God bless and have a nice week :-)

~Ron

BTW. your background music is great!

Leontien said...

She looks happy!
I was just wondering why there is such a big hole in the side of the old barn? i just fell out or did something happen?

she sure looks happy...

Thanks
Leontien

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Robin,
I think it's way too early for this colder weather too! YUCK! I just stepped outside, it's about 2:00 a.m. and it's already freezing out there! I am up because my darling grandbaby woke me up and I might as well blog! hehe.
Have a great day girlfriend and I am just waiting to hear what bloggy prizes you've won lately!
Cindy

Unknown said...

Hi Robin! What beautiful, beautiful pictures!!! How wonderful that you and your mom were able to go back and visit!!!

xo

:) T

Carolynn Cecilia said...

What an incredible history you have! I spent my entire childhood moving from one rented apartment or moble home to the next and I can deeply appreciate what it must have been like to own a family home with such a hardworking past.

Beckyjean said...

Hi Robin~

Been gone for a little bit & finally trying to catch up on all I missed. Beautiful post!! So glad you were able to go back with your Mom for a tour of the old homestead.

Hugs my friend~Becky

Cindy said...

Just beautiful, your mom's smile is precious!

Robin said...

I'm glad you were able to go back. It's a beautiful place, and the pictures make it look very peaceful. May I copy your picture of the gate? It would be perfect for a picture to head another blog I have called; "THE GATE OPENS...". I just found your blog and enjoyed it so much I'll be back.

My Colonial Home said...

WHAT A SPECIAL OUTING FOR MOM....and the setting is beautiful...I love all the things you found to snap picture of - just beautiful.
Karen

Laura Rhodes said...

Nothing like going back to your roots...It's such a blessing to be able to do that..So many memories...Nice pictures...Thanks for sharing...Laura