Thursday, May 26, 2011

Loading Up

Coming back home the next few days were a blur as we tried to get everything ready for moving day. Several big flatbeds came and were loaded with the farm machinery that we planned to take along. They left a few days before our actual moving day.

On the morning of moving day another long van trailer was backed up in front of the house to be loaded with all our household things as well as the things from our shop and our buggy would have to be hoisted on after everything else was loaded. My brother John and his wife came by early that morning to help us get started. LV's cousins and friends would come by a little later as well as my uncles and their families.

 But before others arrived we were surprised to see David and his girlfriend come walking up the driveway. They had parked their vehicle somewhere out of sight and dressed in their Amish clothes to be a part of our day. Usually I would have been so very happy to have him come but the news of his having left the Amish was still too new and painful and our meeting was less than comfortable. But after others started showing up and I discovered his day was being miserable as people kept cornering him and preaching to him I actually strarted feeling really sorry for him and while I wished he would still be Amish the rest of his time there wasn't as strained between us and we were able to visit a little. David was still David even though he left the faith. He was still my brother and I realized I couldn't simply stop loving him or cut him out of our life.
 Sailor seemed overwhelmed with all the unusual activity and spent his day with his dog Kazan. The people who had bought our farm wanted to keep Kazan since he was already used to being around cows. We felt sad leaving him but thought it would be the best to let him stay with his familiar surroundings and knew he would be well taken care of.
 After everything was loaded our friends came by. They would be taking us to our new home.
Late that afternoon our loaded truck pulled away and we loaded the last of our things into the back of the mini van. John and his wife helped load everything and stayed to see us off before going home. Waving good-bye we drove down the driveway. I couldn't make myself look back for one last look at what had been our happy home ever since I had moved in as a hopeful young bride.

15 comments:

  1. I've always hated packing and then moving, so i feel your pain. Richard from the Amish settlement of Lebanon county.

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  2. What an adorable picture of your son! And what a difficult and exhausting day it must have been! On a side note, I found it fascinating when you mentioned loading your buggy into the truck. I don't know why that surprised me, but it was something I hadn't thought about and a fun little detail to read. :)

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  3. It's always sad to leave a home where you have been happy for an unknown. I feel sorry for David, too.

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  4. It's so hard to leave a loved home.

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  5. goodness I can feel your pain and sadness for that day.
    And I'm so happy you had some 'good' time with David.

    Cute, cute pictue of Sailor1

    karen

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  6. Moving is never easy, but with all that you were leaving behind, it must have been especially sad for you.

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  7. Years ago my husband was in the military service for two tours so we learned love to move to new places. Along with the move, though came a time of sadness and regret with every move. It must have been very difficult for you, especially with the feeling the new community might not be the best one for you. Thank you for sharing this memory with us.

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  8. Moving is not easy.. and its the packing and unpacking... I'm sorry to hear how your brother was treated... Nice pictures... thanks for sharing..

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  9. I am just so loving reading your story. I know how hard it is to make up your mind about moving to a new place and starting over. I pray I never have to do it again.

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  10. Must have been tough leaving... Especially with that feeling of it possibly being a big mistake hanging over your heads!

    I hate moving!

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  11. I'm glad you were able to reconcile somewhat with your brother. That alone probably made all the grief worthwhile for him.

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  12. Fascinating reading. For those of us not of the Amish faith it is indeed a different world. I'm curious by nature but would never ask questions for fear of offending. We have Mennonite community where I live. At least that what I have been told.

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  13. Packing & leaving is always hard. Especially from a community of friends and family that you have known your whole life. We moved from OH when I was 16 1/2. I literally hated living in NC for the first full year. Now, after 13+ years, I love it here. :o)

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  14. Awwwww! Sailor and his dog make the sweetest picture!

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