Friday, November 19, 2010

Special Help

Shelling peas was never one of my favorite things to do. But since we ate a lot of them Mom always planted a lot and since we had a busy store the bulk of gardening and canning became my responsibility.

I used to try to get all the peas picked before breakfast and then sit in the shade to shell them. We lived close to a busy road and as my little brothers and I were shelling peas we would often play guessing games, or traffic games.

One forenoon I was busy shelling peas when I heard a horse and buggy come down the road. As I looked up I recognized Ridge but since the storm front was closed I couldn't see who was driving. The pine trees behind me kept me from being able to see as the buggy passed, but then I was surprised to hear it pull off the road by our hitching rack.

A little later Ivan, who had been helping me shell peas announced excitedly that LV was walking toward us. I looked up and was thrilled to see LV approaching but suddenly felt klutzy. I wasn't sure what to do with myself as I sat on a little child's arm chair with a big bowl of peas on my lap.

LV didn't seem to notice that I was flustered as he sat on the grass and started helping Ivan shell his bowl of peas. The forenoon passed way too fast as we visited. I wished Ivan would give us some time alone but he seemed so happy to be sitting next to LV that i didn't have the heart to tell him to go into the house.

Several weeks later a customer gave us several pictures they had taken of us. I was very happy to have it and tucked it away carefully. It would be the only one I ever had of LV and I while we were courting.

28 comments:

  1. The photo is hard to see but did LV have a beard already or is it a shadow? You know why I ask.... I thought that not until after the man is married that he grows a beard. Maybe I'm wrong.

    Wow! and what a gift... both of the photo and of the memory and now the blessing of simply having it in your possession.

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  2. Aww, that's a lovely post. Very nostalgic.

    CJ xx

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  3. Oh, that is the sweetest picture, and I hope it's framed and on a wall somewhere.

    I love hearing your stories, so much!

    XOXO
    Joni

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  4. Thank you so much sharing - I so enjoyed reading this.

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  5. A treasure in deed. I know photos of the Amish are hard to come by. I noticed the beard right away too, unless its a shadow.

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  7. It's only a shadow. The beard would come later :)

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  8. I don't see the beard...just a sweet couple!

    What is funny, back in 1978 when my Hubby was "courting" me he had the horse shoe beard (no mustache). My Aunt thought I was dating an Amish gentleman. It wasn't until I met his married cousin that he adored and saw that he had the same kind of beard that I knew why he wore it that way. He shaved all but his sideburns before our wedding.

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  9. Really enjoyed this story. Love the phots, a wonderful memory indeed.

    Rejoicing In Him, Patrizia

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  10. How precious! I've got to say thought that my first thought when I saw that was, "I wonder if this is one of the photos her dad had stashed away from before the church discipline?"

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  11. wow. that is such a sweet sweet memory. I feel a little bit voyer-ish

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  12. What a beautiful story. :) Your stories fascinate me so much, thank you! xx

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  13. A very precious story.

    I just want to say I am a new reader. I found your blog yesterday and have been enjoying it. I am a 34 yr. old--- wife and stay at home mom to seven busy children. ~Shanda

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  14. Sweet story...glad you were blessed with the photo..I am sure it is a special treasure now...blessings

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  15. Sweet story and a precious picture. It's wonderful to have such a special time captured on a photograph to enjoy later.

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  16. What a treasure! I thought it was a beard, too, but figured it must've been a shadow. I bet you were so excited to get that picture ~ I wasn't Amish, but I was child #6 which means not very many pics. LOL

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  17. This is so lovely, what a treasure! Before I knew the story behind the photo I was so intrigued by it!

    Thank you so much for stopping by, I love meeting new sisters in the Lord. Your encouragement is a great blessing to me. : )

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  18. I understand how precious that picture is. I have a few picture of my children as newborns that my parents took. When I joined the Amish I tried to tell my dad not to take any picture of us but he informed me the he was my father and he would take pictures if he WANTED to! Needless to say, we have a few copies of those pictures and I treasure them.

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  19. Delightful; the picture and pea picking/shelling memories! I loved shelling them but that's it. They don't snap like they used to or maybe I'm just in too much of a hurry to pay attention....

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  20. What a sweet story and a precious photo.

    Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving me such a lovely comment. (o:

    Blessings,
    ~Michele

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  21. What a special picture, Maryann. I'm so glad you posted it on your blog for us to see.

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  22. I liked shelling peas, but oh how I hated snapping beans! LOL

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  23. How priceless! Glad it must have been taken after your father had to turn in pictures to the church because of a snitch. Beard came later...LV must be your husband???

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.