COUNTRY HOME

Joe and Ellen are leaving for better jobs.   It leaves a hole in the family and community that we all feel.  

Transcript

COUNTRY HOME                                    

By James R. von Feldt

All Rights Reserved

“Summer’s here,” Jerry said as he walked up the steps to the porch.

I was on the swing contemplating the beautiful morning and wondering what he was doing out so early.

“Need to borrow the truck.” He said as he sat on the swing next to me.

“Sure,” I replied.  “What’s the event?”

Jerry seldom needs a truck.  He has a big van which does him fine most of the time.

“Going to help Ellen and Joe.  They’re moving to Kirksville.  Joe’s got a good job offer at Eldon Electrical.  Ellen’s going to be working in the office too.  Zack Springer found them a house they could afford on the north side of town.”  

Jerry and I just sat on the swing and looked at the sky.  Things were changing drastically for Jerry and Ann. 

Small towns have a lot to offer, but one thing is usually missing: enough jobs for the next generation.  Families splinter going here and there to find work.  Those who attend community college usually find work closer to home than those who follow a four-year college.  Of course, the cost of college demands that they look for work in the big cities.

Efrem’s oldest boy Joe floundered for a while after high school.  He worked on Isaac’s farm and then at Mike’s Tractor Tire shop.  He had decided he didn’t want to farm.  Finally, he started an Electrical Apprentice program in Ottumwa.  That program dovetails practical work with courses at the community college.  It pays minimum wage, but then you’re getting paid as you learn.  That’s a great program.  

Ellen took bookkeeping in high school and loved it.  During part of her high school year, she was enrolled in the community college learning center in Bloomfield.   She says she wants to start her own business someday.  Her work experience at Casey’s was invaluable.

The kids were married last year.  Joe was still in the apprenticeship program.  It was tough going that first year, but they made it.  Most of us remember back to our first years.  We made it too.  Some of us needed a bit of help, but we made it through.

“Things have changed a lot,” Jerry said in a whisper.

I was thinking the same thing.

“Ann cleaned houses, and I worked two jobs; on your cousin Clifford’s farm and down at Farm Produce Market at night.  I used to take my 22 with me on the tractor to shoot rabbits.  We needed the meat.

We both chuckled.  Venison is still a staple for many farm families.

“Do you remember what you were paid in those days?” I asked.

Jerry went on:  Clifford and Mary Jane had a big garden in those days.  We had plenty of fresh food when it was in season, and Ann helped Mary Jane can the surplus for winter too.  We shared in that.  Money?  No, we didn’t get paid much actual money, but what we got stretched far enough to pay the bills.  I’m sure it was less than minimum wages today.  

We lived in the old Lawson place north of Cliff’s. It’s gone now.   I walked to Cliff’s, and I walked to town.  Ann cleaned Max and Jeannie’s on Monday and Thursday and Uncle Ralph’s on Fridays.  Ann walked to Max’s, but uncle Ralph came and picked up Ann in his truck on Fridays.  Didn’t have a car for three years.  The first one I got was a wrecked car from Spillman’s junkyard, but it ran.  Paid cash.

“I had one of those too,” I said.  A Studebaker,” and we laughed.  

There was a long, long pause as we both got lost in memories.

“Didn’t have credit like they do today,” I said.  

“You had to have some money saved up before you got married.  Dixie went to beauty school while I worked two jobs.  When she graduated, I started night classes at college.  I was working for the city.  They had a tuition assistance plan.  We couldn’t have afforded it if it wasn’t for that.  There was no school loan program in those days.

More pause.

Ann’s worried about the kids – being so far away and all,” Jerry said.  It’s only 60 miles, but we feel something’s missing already.  And the other kids are coming up quickly.  I wonder what the future will bring?

More pause.

It’s like the song, Country Road,” I said

Some will stay.  Some will leave, but they all have a yearning to return.  You know - Country road take me home to the place where I belong….

It’s family.  It’s community.  It’s home.  It’s in their heart.

With that said, Jerry stood up, ready to go.

Keys are in it,” I said, pointing to the truck.  

Well, that’s it for now.

From where the corn grows tall, and pigs fly.

Take care.

All my love.

Grampa Jim