Godspeed, Harlan.

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 4^th 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.