You may already know that I’m originally from North Dakota.
It is much better than the view inside the WalMart.
Yes, I realize that makes the title of this blog a misnomer. I am not really a Minnesota mom—I am a transplant, I am a fraud.
Would it help if I said that I grew up on the border? Does that count for something?
I grew up in a little town in the Red River Valley—the same hometown, incidentally, as the novelist Louise Erdrich (she once visited my 4th grade class and taught us poetry) and Sam Anderson, the actor who played Bernard (husband to Rose) on the TV series Lost.
(I’d love to be a famous novelist. Even more than that, I’d love to have been an actor on Lost and to have hung out with that hunky Sawyer.)
So yes. So yes. I’m from a wee little town in North Dakota.
I went home to see these people…
…whom I love with a passion bordering on maniacal, and to celebrate…
…my sweet sister’s landmark birthday. “Mary’s turning 50 this year?” I squealed to Renee, one of my other sisters. (I have four.) “How can that be? I’m six years younger than her and I’m only 32!”
“Aren’t I?”
Time marches on.
We went home, too, so that my daughters could play with all their girl cousins. That’s as it should be, you know. Every little girl should get to know her cousins.
Here’s an interesting bit of trivia: Because my sisters started early, and because I started late, my daughters are growing up with my sisters’ granddaughters.
This makes me feel really young, except when it makes me feel really old.
(If you are a 40-something parent of small children, you understand completely.)
Spending time in my childhood home always brings back many memories. I mean, how could it not? This sewing machine, for example.
It’s still in the basement where, growing up, I could almost always find my mother. “Where’s Mom?” “She’s in the sewing room.” My mother did amazing things on this little machine. One time I needed a new comforter for my double-size bed. Mom had me pick the one that I liked in a J.C. Penney’s catalog. She then ordered it in the king-size version and turned it into curtains, shams and throw pillow covers.
She made me an entire matching set, which in my opinion was totally cool.
Thanks, Mom!
In this same basement room is a drawing that my sister Mary did.
Mary is an art teacher and has always been quite talented. Some would say enviably talented, but not me! No sir, I would never be that shallow.
Not when we’re talking about a picture of Jesus, anyway.
I’m going to finish this Tour of My Childhood Home with one more picture. See anyone you recognize?
This picture makes me want to clothe my girls in dresses with smocks and tie matching white ribbons in their hair.
And how about that Greg Brady sweater? I need to get one of those for my sons.
All in all, it was a beautiful trip home. I loved everything–the visit to my childhood home, certainly, but also getting to spend time at my sister’s house in the country. There’s no place like home when your home is North Dakota–and if that home is on a farm in the country?
Well, oh my goodness. You want for nothing.
I am going to close by being serious, if only for the briefest of moments. There is one more reason why I go home…and it has to do with the age of my parents. They are both 85, and I’m going to say—I have to say—that the thought of losing them is very hard for me.
And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Happy feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Looks like Felicity to me!
Beautiful tribute to your family, Margaret. Yes, your second daughter is definitely you … all over again … at least in appearance!
It's ok to be MN Mom; just as long as you don't forget your roots! See, it makes you all the more dear to me that you are originally from ND.
What a beautiful tribute to your family! I agree on the resemblance between you (as a girl) and your daughter, too. And your sister is so pretty … I would never guess she is 50! I can definitely tell you're sisters =)
Yup, commenting to say your middle daughter is you all over again! This was a beautiful post Margaret!
Mags, you crack me up, Greg Brady sweater, wahahahaha!! You are truly the cutest little girl in the bunch 🙂 Looks like a loverly visit home, and back! Happy feast sweetie!
Hello Margaret,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. I grew up in NE and now live in GA(completely different parts of the country=) I miss seeing from horizon to horizon and the rows and rows of corn.
Both of my parents have left us to go home to be with the Lord recently. My daddy three years and my mama only this past Feb. They were 80 and 78 years young. I miss them more than I will ever be able to express. Something in you changes when your parents pass on.
Cherish each day you have with your parents and never let a day go buy without thanking God for the gift they are!
God bless,
Robyn
Lovely….I like your kids grew up with my 2nd cousins as playmates. cousins are cousins eh? 🙂 My sister had that SAME sewing machine. It was so easy to use and worked so well, I wish I could find another like it!!
signed
Theresa in Alberta
What a beautiful post! And your sister? I thought she was you for a second! I am so happy you treasure your family and your parents. I lost mine 4 and 6 years ago at the ages of 64 and 68. I miss them so, and wish they were here physically for my kids. Although I know they are doing more good in Heaven than any of us know! Happy feast day!
Yup! I agree with everyone else, she is a mini-you! And hey, I think those Greg Brady sweaters are back in style!
I am totally reading the first book in the Red River series (Lauraine Snelling) right now! Sweet! I'm a South Dakota girl/UP transplant, so I've always loved books about that area, especially since I grew up near there, but you REALLY grew up near there.
Anywho, family history is so neat. Thank you for sharing of yours with us.
Blessings!
Hannah
Oh my goodness, I laughed so hard when I read your comment about only being 32! I am a 45 yr old mom of young children (my oldest just turned nine, my youngest just turned 5) and I am always thinking I am still in my young 30's. I seriously can't be on the downside of my 40's, no way.
What a great childhood you had, seriously.
Hi Margaret
I love your blog. And your right about your parents. I just lost my Dad this week. He was 84. So consider yourself very blessed to still have yours and cherish the memories. Love your home!
I love that you have such a tight-knit, beautiful family. And I immediately saw Felicity in that picture too. 🙂 You are so blessed!!!
My parents are younger than yours, but I have been thinking about that last bit since my father had to have a stent put in ten years ago. You're right – it's very difficult. I wish I had useful insight rather than sympathy, but I just don't. Prayers for you on that, and a hug.
I laughed outloud when I read that 40 something comment…..so true!!
It happened to me at the pool the other day, I met a woman I usually see at daily Mass and she came up to me and introduced herself (she recognized me first with the 5 kiddos and all) and I said, "how old are your girls?" she said, "oh, these are my grandaughters" My first thought was…."wow, I am an old mama"
Anyway….I can actually also really see Angela (yes I said Angela) in you with the light hair and all……
Fun tour home for us, your parents still look the same every year!!
Felicity looks just like YOU!
CRAZY your sisters have grandchildren that play with your kids….that is so cool yet crazy!
love this post.