Memoirs of "The Burgdorf" Family Farm
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Chapter 1
Arriving at the Family Farm
“We are here!” I said with such excitement as my father turned into the drive of the family farm. My heart was pounding as the tires on the old white Mercury rolled over the white stones that led up the long driveway to the big two-story white farm house.
“Hurry up,” my older sister, Pam, proclaimed while my little brother, Charlie, was just ready to get out of the car. Several hours in a car between two older sisters was no fun for my little red-headed brother.
I couldn’t wait to see my great aunt and uncles, Aunt Anna, Uncle Chris, and Uncle Ervin. As we got closer to the house, the old brown German Sheppard began to bark as if to announce, “William, Mary, and the children have arrived.” The screen door opened wide from the breezeway as Aunt Anna stepped outside to greet us.
She was dressed in a light-colored blouse buttoned up to her neck and a blue skirt I’d seen before. Her hair was whitish gray, pulled back in a bun, and glistened in the sunshine. After pushing her oval-shaped glasses further up on her nose, her hand stretched out and began to wave.
Uncle Ervin, in his work boots, blue jean coveralls, and blue, short-sleeved shirt, stepped out of the biggest pole barn I’d ever seen. His smile was soft as his right hand lifted in the air to remove his red farmer’s seed cap. As the sun glistened through his white hair, his hat tilted as if saying hello from where he stood.
Cats and kittens scattered as Uncle Chris came toward the car from the grain barn. He was patting his hands together, shaking off any loose dirt, and then raised his hand to wave hello. Uncle Chris was a handsome man. He was tall and slender, but his ears always looked a little bigger than what I thought they were supposed to. Nonetheless, he was very sweet with a gentle voice and always had great stories to tell about his ventures to other nations as a missionary.
“Look at the kittens,” I said to Charlie and Pam. Finally, the car came to a stop in front of the two-car garage, and we began to pile out.
My brother ran after the kittens, and the rest of us stood in line for hugs, kisses, and hand shakes. Of course, we got the big hugs and lots of kisses because we were the children.
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About the Book
On a sunny afternoon in June 2009, I visited the Burgdorf Family Farm. As I parked my vehicle in front of the house I got out of the car and walked around looking at the barns, the house, the fields, and the orchard. I even peaked through the windows wishing to see my Grandma or one of my Great Aunts or Uncles inside. But no one was home, they had all passed away. I wiped the tears from my cheek and continued to take several pictures and remembered how much fun the farm had been as a child.
I returned to my car and turned it around and proceeded down the long drive way. One, I remember traveling often as a child. When I pulled out of the drive I remember thinking, “I have to write a story about this place”. This was not just a thought in my head; it was a burning desire to write about the farm and the heritage of the Burgdorfs. The seed was planted and the desire to write my memoirs about the Family Farm was born.
I look back at the memories of the farm that I hold so dear and near to my heart and think of how two of the Brothers never left the farm and how several siblings returned to the farm (after the loss of a spouse) to live out the rest of their lives. The heritage of “The Burgdorfs” is one where God and Family are the most important things in life.
About the Author
Sue Ann Woodford Cross, and two children, Sierra and Dax live in
Never let go of your dreams, or be scared to start new adventures. Life is what we make it and today is a good day!
- Sue Ann Woodford Cross