Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Yep, that was a wonderful world to live in (in many respects), but it is a world which is increasingly no longer there, as fewer and fewer people are rural dwellers. There was a certain honesty and directness about it. Yet I wonder how many of us would voluntarily go back to the unremitting toil that was also a part of that world? Everything is a trade-off.
There is not enough time or space on this forum to list the valuable lessons learned from my grandparents. But in short self-sufficiency, pride, a sense of shame, strength, compassion, discipline, tribal unity, and education.
spent a lot of time with my GPs....where I learned as you did...
They started/owned a dept store together...I would "help out" by selling behind the counters while standing on a stool...and using a cash register.
Watched as people were given credit as they needed it, learned people skills, about money and keeping order about you..oh and being an honest store owner, caring about customers and to give back to the community and to those less fortunate than you.
At home, we canned foods too, cooked for the ill and bereaved, kept roses and fruit trees and cooked up the best food I ever had...every day. No dining out, no quick microwave.
I miss my grandmother so very much, all these yrs later...oh and she would say:
You need to drink your OJ every day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by StealthRabbit
I was just thinking how grateful I am to my grandparents whom I lived with every summer.
taking time for others, tho very busy yourself (They were active farmers)
I specifically remember building stairs, ramps, and porches for widows.
Picking and putting up fruit and veggies.
Reading Capers Weekly
helping with community fundraisers
Taking time for parades and community events
Taking in house guests
feeding the needy in neighborhood (Making meals for sick and disabled)
Helping neighbors with building projects (lots of roofs... hail / tornado country)
Helping neighbors farm needs
Changing tires for strangers
working hard (dairy farm... (2) 3 day vacations in 80 yrs)
Legacy stories... courting each other, one room schools, driving a team of horses to SD @ age 12, to earn money to feed the family.
4-HThe best way to teach youngsters economics, responsibility, record keeping, value set... (should be a requirement for USA Presidents)
There is not enough time or space on this forum to list the valuable lessons learned from my grandparents. But in short self-sufficiency, pride, a sense of shame, strength, compassion, discipline, tribal unity, and education.
I understand everything except tribal unity. Oh, I know what the words mean, but I am curious to know what constituted the tribe as far as your grandparents were concerned.
Take care of those in need in the community.
Care for the elderly in your family.
Get an education. No one can ever take that away from you.
Honor your country and military and be proud to be an American. Fly the flag and attend parades.
Don't be afraid to stand up for something you truly believe in, although at times you may stand alone.
Honesty and integrity.
Memories here! I spent a couple summers on a dairy farm that belonged to a friend my Mom's in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
It was hard work and the eating was amazing. They had more food for an ordinary breakfast than my family did for Thanksgiving. We worked from sunup to sundown and seldom had energy for more than that. And we did do things for others in need. It wasn't up for discussion, it just was done.
And then there was all the 'Women's Work' that never ended. After a full day of farm work we still had loads of garden/canning work to do as well. And just the cooking was a full time job.
I got my first kiss on that dairy farm too!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
(I'm now a fan again!)
