Yesterday we laid my uncle to rest he passed away 2 days before his 89th birthday. He was a wonderful man he served in the marines during WWII he was shot at Okinawa and received the purple heart, one among many medals he earned. He lived thru the depression and the stories he told of the depression and of the war, the things they had to do just to survive. How they made do with what they had and was grateful for every little thing they could get. There is a reason so many of them will not waste anything.
After the services I got to thinking about how we are losing our older generation and how we need to learn from the ones still here. We are approaching some very difficult times and the older ones that have the knowledge and have lived in hard time are not always going to be here to teach us how to do some of the things that will be helpful to us.
So if you know some one from that generation talk to them and learn all you can from them they have so much knowledge. They will not always be here to learn from.
Yes, the older generation has a lot of skills that are going to be needed in the future. Courage, fortitude, and a work ethic being the skills that most people lack nowadays...just sayin'
ReplyDeleteK,
DeleteYou are so correct, So many are lacking in those areas and I think that is going to make what is coming so much more difficult. So many people just want things given to them and when that stops it is going to get real ugly.
Connie
I have realized that as I only have one aunt who knows about the farm where I grew up as a child on the Santa Maria River in Arizona and I often bring it into our conversations. Sometimes she remember the things I'm talking about and sometimes she doesn't. And, she is basically the last one who knows about where my grandparents lived and thrived on the ranch for all those years. The younger ones don't know much about them. So sad!
ReplyDeleteJoani,
DeleteThat is one of the bad things the older ones are starting to forget.Andy's Mom is getting that way so when she talks about teh old times I try to write down as much as I can.It is so sad to lose some of the information that they have.
And it is sad to beacuse alot of the younger ones don't want to know.
Connie
I grew up at my grandmothers side, watching and learning about whatever she was doing. It kindled a passion for self sufficiency that I have pursued my whole life. My grandmother is gone now, but I am keeping what she taught me close to my heart and building on to it for the next generation. Thanks for bringing up this subject!e really do need to gather in the knowledge from the past generations and hold on to it, our survival in the future may well depend on it!
ReplyDeleteElle,
DeleteI to learned so much from my Grandmother shr is also gone but every now and again I catch my self wanting to call and ask her something. She taught me so much but there was so much more I wish I would have learned.
And I think you are so right our future may depend on what we know.
Take care
Connie
We have soo much to learn from older people. My neighbor went through the depression with her widowed mother and siblings. They learned to live off the land by foraging and growing what they could. Talking to her is awe inspiring. I need to do it more often. My own grandmother will tell stories now and again, I think my homesteading has brought back some memories for her, but she never liked living on a farm, so she doesn't really talk about it much.
ReplyDeleteHave you read the Foxfire books? I adore them. That teacher gave his students and anyone who reads the books a real gift.
Kelly,
DeleteIt is great that you have someone so close by to learn from. I havn't read the foxfire books but I will have to look into them.
Thanks
Connie
Our family has been blessed to have the opportunity to spend many days talking with my husband's 96 year old grandmother. When we have 4 generations sitting at the table sharing stories, I have had times where I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God for giving us this special time. My 14 year daughter feels it too, and that is the biggest blessing of all. My husband's grandmother talks of her life on her farm, the days of the depression, her hunting and fishing trips with her late husband, canning and preserving food,all with the fondest memories and such a thankful heart. She sings songs taught to her by her grandparent's with a giggle of sweet memories. She has shared her struggles, as just being part of life. You never hear regret or self-pity in her voice. She and her family worked hard, they respected their land, food and each other. I love the time we spend with her. I love her strength, her stewardship, her gratitude, her silly songs and love for family. I love her wisdom and the opportunity we have to learn from it.
ReplyDeleteAmie,
DeleteIt is so wonderful that your 14 year old has the
Opportunity to hear the stories and gather some of the knowledge so she will be able to pass it on to her children. That is one thing about that generation they had it so hard but you never hear them complain about it , was just a part of life. I just hope that when things get bad I can be half as strong as they were.
Have a great day
Connie
I don't have any family members to teach me the old ways. But thanks to my blogger friends I am learning a lot of the old ways. I found myself learning new things all the time. There is so much more I want to learn. You are one of them I have learned from. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
DeleteThanks, It is so good to have the internet and bloggers to learn from. Seems there is so much to learn.
Have a great day
Connie
Hi Connie, so sorry for your loss! I do agree that we may be in the process for repeating history. We will always be better prepared if we woul only learn from those who have gone before us. I do not want to be a slow learner on this front:(
ReplyDeleteHave you had a lot of blowing dirt from the drought?
Blessings, Roxy
Roxy,
DeleteI agree I do not want to be a slow learner, I am trying as fast as I can to learn all I can. I think it is going to be so important in the very near future.
We have had sooo much blowing dirt the wind has been awful. Did you get any of the storms? about all we got was the wind. I think it is going to be a bad year. They are already talking about cutting water by 2/3 in the next county so they will only get one cutting. Guess we will just keep praying for rain.
Take care
Connie
So true...:) Thanks for sharing this on The Creative HomeAcre Hop!
ReplyDeleteHope to see you again today. :)
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/04/the-creative-homeacre13.html
I'm sorry to hear about your uncle. It sounds like he was a great guy. Thanks for sharing on The HomeAcre Hop! Stop by to say hi to our new co-host and share more of you great posts!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/05/the-homeacre-hop-17-exciting-news.html