That first summer seemed incredibly busy. My brothers would take turns coming to help LV make hay. I had been looking forward to when haymaking would be over and things could slow down a little, but as soon as first crop was done second cutting was ready to be made which was immediately followed by third with our grain crops and straw baling tucked inbetween.
My garden was producing abundantly and my days were filled weeding the garden and canning vegetables and fruit. We had an orchard with lots of peach trees, as well as pears, plums and apples. They produced way more than we could possibly hope to be able to use so I would pick them and give them to my parents and some of the aunts and uncles.
Blueberries and blackberries were in their prime and I really needed to take care of them but I simply did not have the energy any longer. I was sick, more sick than I had known could be possible. To begin with I forced myself to continue with everything that needed to be done but each new day I felt worse until we both realized we needed help in order to get all our work done.
The last thing I wanted to do was have someone come live with us for a few weeks until I started feeling better, but there wasn't much choice. I was too weak to do anything, unable to keep any food down I was loosing a lot of weight and I really didn't have any to lose being skinny to begin with. (I preferred the word slender but skinny described my condition better.)
We asked one of LV's cousins to come help out for a while. She was happy to come and though we had been best friends I didn't really like having her working in my kitchen cooking food for my husband. I tried to keep on preparing meals but the very sight of food was too much for me.
Even with being as sick as I was, I was so happy at the thought that it was totally worth going through that misery when at the end LV and I would have a precious little bundle to love and care for.
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I can't imagine all those responsibilities while being so sick, but good for you for asking for help! That's the hardest part. It's great that children are worth so much of the suffering that is involved in nuturing them until they get here! What a blessing for you and LV that I'm sure continues to bless you everyday!
ReplyDeleteThe farm with its orchards and garden sounds like near heaven to me, but I well know the work required to maintain such a farm is often overwhelming even in good health. Looking forward to hearing how the help worked out....:)
ReplyDeleteI'm finally getting caught up with the posts from a few back. I'm sure it was no fun having someone ELSE living with you, but at least you got some help, so that's always nice. I still bet you look back on that time as one of the best! ♥
ReplyDeletewow! i can't imagine doing all that you had to do even if you would not have been sick. having all of that land is a huge responsibility. i would have a hard time having help also. i like to think i can do everything that is asked of me. i'm not very humble i guess.
ReplyDeleteWas it morning/pregnancy sickness?
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who spent almost her entire pregnancy with "morning sickness" - she could hardly keep anything down for almost 5 months.
This, too, shall pass. When you hold that precious bundle in your arms you will know it's worth all you went through. Glad you had help.
ReplyDeleteI traveled down that road from Dec through March into April but thankfully I didn't have all the gardening and farming responsibilities. How fortunate LV's cousin/your best friend was able to help out. Being so sick is worth the bundle of joy that will arrive within 9 months.
ReplyDeleteAwww well it was the smell of tomatoe sause, coffee, and once we had to throw out a fresh chicken because It "smelled" wierd. the first trimester was the worst for me too. great post! Blessings, Joanne
ReplyDeleteThat part of pregnancy is NO FUN, no matter how much you look forward to the baby! That must have been quite an adjustment - new marriage, first Summer with tons of work to do, and then to have someone in your newly-carved-out space (however friendly it might have been), all with morning sickness.
ReplyDelete- Sally
The farm sounds like it was wonderful! I'd love to live on a place like that!
ReplyDeleteSometimes you just have to accept help... No matter how much you don't want to!
you are something else!!! I love the fortitude with you!I can't wait to hear more! You are a precious work of our Lord!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Debbie S.
Ahhh! I saw that last sentence coming a mile away :-) So much to do; nothing simple about being an Amish housewife, that's for sure! I could feel the morning sun scorching your back as you picked berries...
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