We Are From
Brooke Orrell Sievers
We are from the city girl and
the country boy – who decided to make their life on the farm. We are from all
the memories made of a young couple trying to find their way – over-bundling their
new baby, bringing a new pony in the dining room on Christmas Morning, trading
cars, brothers and sisters in law, playing cards, dancing on Friday nights, gathering
eggs, walking beans, picking sweet corn, loving, learning from Grandma Maude,
Charlie and Marie.
We are from Iowa country roads
where neighbors all pitch in when tragedy strikes –and stop by for a cup of
coffee and a visit sometime in the afternoon. We are from a community that
celebrates weddings, new babies and 4th of July picnics at Ledges
State Park with Fried Chicken. We are from Elvis Presley, gospel music, Sunday
morning hymns and Every Time I Go To Town – the Boys Keep Kicking My Dog
Around.
We are from dinners around the
table with bread and butter for Grandpa, from a refrigerator that always
smelled of onion, from ghoulish to chocolate brownies, zucchini bread to deviled
eggs – and strawberry jam. We are from a kitchen decorated in geese, and love
notes from grandchildren posted on the fridge with one of many magnets. From
late nights sharing a Pepsi with Grandpa at the kitchen table, or popping
popcorn to watch Wheel of Fortune. We are from a wall full of trivets and help
with the dishes, wooden calendar
pieces, and holding hands to say grace before our meal.
We are from snowmobiling through
deep Iowa drifts, moped rides through the fields, riding a bike, driving a
tractor. We are from Highway 17, a little white church, Sunday drives on back
country roads, and the Luther Station. Mowing the park, picking tomatoes,
cleaning green beans and dressing a chicken. We are from a grey three-piece
suit, a blue beaded dress, hair done just so, and freshly applied lipstick. We
are from the couple who was always together, a love pat, a tease and a kiss goodnight.
We are from a couple with strong
opinions and stories to share. We are from a woman with a SHARP tongue if you
ever crossed her family – with her head held high, eyebrow raised and size 7
shoes. We are from a “Hm, I didn’t
know that” – and lots of teasing with a light heart. We are from the man who could cut a deal like no other - who would check your tires and ask
about gas mileage - and from the couple who had the brightest smile and best
hugs when our dreams came true.
We are from 515-795-3105, and the
voice on the other end - always happy to hear from us. We are
from Casey's Pizza, bananas, coffee and early morning Tradeo on WHO. We are from
the wooden swing that read Bonnie and
Spike, three yard deer, Grandkids spoiled while you wait, click the remote,
cuckoo clock, naps in the afternoon, Christmas Eve memories, Easter Egg hunts
in the rain, driving to Liberty, “Boone, Ames, Madrid.” We are from Little Red
Riding Hood, Peachy, Vicks Vapo Rub, The Flying Red Horse, and the Owl Statue
in the corner. We are from GG Bonnie, “Junior Scratch My Back” – nightgowns and
early bedtimes, Sweet Jesus and “Cheer Up – Maybe it ain’t so.”
We are their 2
daughters, 9 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. We are loved, we are
family, we are thankful - Grandma
and Grandpa – are our roots.
