Nostalgia

As I sit here watching the setting sun glitter off the raindrops hanging onto our picture window, I think about how much I love this place.

I've lived in one place my whole life. And I love that fact.

This place has a lot of history.

It was the Spooner Estate before my great-grandfather Briggs bought the property in 1927.

Since then, four generations of Briggs have lived in this old farm house.

Three generations have milked cows in what is now the calf barn - my grandfather built the milking barn back in the 70's.

Four generations have worked and harvested the expanse of land we own - although Dad has added some since he took over the operation.

Four generations have sweat, struggled, and strived to make this a well-running farm.

My brother and I are the fourth generation.

Will there be more?

Only time will tell, but we're planning on keeping it going as long as possible.

Great-Grandpa would not recognize the old homestead. But I think he would approve of the changes.

He would be shocked to see all the equipment it takes to run an operation such as this. They did everything with horses back-in-the-day, ya know.

However, I think he would be proud to know that his son, grandson, etc. have kept his legacy alive and well. I can't wait to meet him in Heaven! He was a remarkable man and I can see part of him in my grandfather.

With all the family history there's a lot of nostalgia in this place.

If I ever moved away I would feel like I left behind a piece of myself.

I can't do that.

I can't leave.

I can't leave the green mountains.

I can't leave the lake.

I can't leave the ponds and Otter Creek.

I can't leave the people.

I can't leave the memories.

Maybe someday I'll move away.

Maybe someday the memories will have to be just that, memories.

But for right now, I'm staying put.

Maybe this is where God wants me...