Last weekend I was lucky enough to be able to travel home for my cousin’s wedding. The cool air and time with family had me reminiscing on my childhood and wondering if maybe some day I’d move back to the area, or at least take an extended trip home.
My favorite time of year has always been the fall. The smell, the colors, pumpkin and apple spice everything, not to mention harvest.
I remember running off the school bus when I was in elementary school racing to jump in mom’s car to head to the field. Riding in the combine or semi with dad was always fun. We would play in the corn in the back of the semi before Dad unloaded it or help untangle bean stalks from the combine head (okay honestly, we weren’t much help, I only did this maybe once 😂). The smell of the dryer running was such an amazing smell, kind of like popcorn but better. We’d play in the piles of beeswings, a part of the corn cob that is soft, almost like a snowflake, but without the cold.
Inevitably, we’d make at least one trip to the apple orchard. When we were little, we’d pick our own apples and then warm up with an apple donut and some hot cider. Our school took field trips to the corn maze and we’d race to see who could get through it first! Then around Halloween, the corn maze would become haunted and throughout high school I remember taking trips there with all my friends, followed by bonfires and everyone hanging out at one farm or another.
You always hear about Southern hospitality, but I’m telling y’all, in the Midwest, everyone considers everyone family. We ran around as a pack of friends from one house to the next, a lot of times, especially with my brother’s friends, everyone ended up at my parents’ house.
Nobody ever went hungry around my grandma or my mom. They both always have food ready and hungry or not, there will be a meal in front of you before you leave, no matter the time of day!
When winter rolled around, the farming slowed down, but in my house, winter meant basketball season. My parents both made it to everyone of mine and my brother’s games. They drove countless miles in frigid weather to support us and help us be our very best. The basketball games led to late nights, and with it getting dark so early it could seem very dreary. I always looked forward to the amazing winter sunsets that would change the look of the landscape dramatically!
Summer in the Midwest is one of the busiest, but fun times on the farm. There was never a ton of actual farm work during the summer, but it seemed like every weekend there was a barbecue or pool party somewhere. My cousins and I spent my early summers at my grandma’s. She had all 8 of us and somehow managed to keep us all in one piece. As we got older, everyone congregated at my parent’s house. My momma fed extra bodies every day it seemed like. It was a safe place. A fun place. A place where anyone could come and feel loved.
At the time I struggled with it, I didn’t understand the value in the hospitality and open door policy. I was sick and didn’t know it. I just wanted my family to myself, but now, I am so, so thankful for the life long friendships made during those times. Not to mention learning how to cook for so many people!
Reminiscing has led me to be extra thankful for the way I grew up. I learned how to work hard, love others, and take time to stop and enjoy the moment. We had fun. We laughed. We cried. There was fighting and hugging. The MidWest isn’t a perfect place, nor was my childhood home, but dang if they weren’t the best places to grow up!
I may have moved away seven years ago, but the MidWest will always hold a big special place in my heart!
Our childhood shapes and molds us. It imprints ideals and morals and values onto us. Who we are surrounded by and the environment impact who we will become as adults. I would not have a love for adventure and people, nor have a faith so strong, if were not for what I learned growing up!
The Heart of the MidWest is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, love, gentleness. The heart of the MidWest is to love others and always welcome people in. The heart of the Midwest is to be a community that helps each other. The heart of the MidWest is a place you must, must visit if you've never spent time there before!
If ever there is more you want to learn about my youth, I’d be happy to share with you!
xo,
Sara
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