The Seed

Apple pie (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

She had been left the land to carry after her husband was killed at war. He had been serving his country and news was carried to her that he wad dead, shot by the enemy. Here she was, a young mother, with two children, a farm to run, and very little experience.

Sophie stood outside on her porch and gazed across the fields wondering how she was ever going to do this. Her husband had always been a farmer, and up until the time, he had been drafted, they had bought and worked the farm together.

The two children, Lizzie, and Teddy came out of the house to be with their mommy. She walked over to the porch swing and sat, and the two kids followed her, and together they swung, while she thought her next move.

She knew she needed help. She couldn’t do this alone and take care of her babies too. She got up from the swing and went into the house, tidied herself up and then went to the barn and got out the wagon. After all were safely seated, they made their journey into town, the goal, to find someone to hire to help around the farm with crops, and repairs.

As they pulled into town, she saw several men and women standing in front of the general store. She pulled up a few yards from them, and lowering Lizzie and Teddy to the ground, they walked over to the crowd, to find out what was going on.

To her surprise, the meeting was about herself. When the crowd noticed her they welcomed her with handshakes and hugs. They told her they were not going to let her go this alone, that they were there to support her and to help her.

Sophie was speechless and in reply, started hugging each one and crying from joy. While the different children from the group played near by, plans were made by the adults as to which ones were available to help, and what time they would all meet at her farm.

As the meeting adjourned, the circle of friends disappeared, and they all went their own way. The next morning, promptly as planned, several men and a few women folk, showed up at her door ready to work. Some went straight to the land, and started plowing, and the others went to the barn and small buildings to work on repairs. The women folk stayed behind and helped Sophie with window washing and laundry, and spring cleaning.

One farmer, who had been in the field, came up near the house, and was getting a drink from the well. Sophie noticed him. He was different from the others. More quiet and staying to himself, just doing his work. Upon his leaving to go back to work, she asked the ladies if they knew who he was.

Sophie discovered that he was actually one of her neighbors a mile down the road. He had bought the old Miller farm, and was fixing it up, and had plans on settling down and raising a family here.

Lunch time came, and the dinner bell was sounded. All gathered around and said a prayer of thanks for the food they were about to eat. It was much-needed sounds she was listening to. Laughter, kids running and playing. The food was hitting the spot too. There was ham, and cold chicken, potato salad, and cherry and apple pies for desserts.

Everything cleaned up, they each went back to their work, and before Sophie realized it the day had slipped by. One by one, each went home to their homes. The one left behind to leave last, was her neighbor, and she asked him if he would care to stay for supper.

He nodded with a yes, and went to the rain barrel to wash his face and hands. While Sophie prepared supper, he played with the kids. This became a common thing, to see this picture each evening. Comfort was being felt, and a new love was blossoming within these four walls.

The repairs had been done, and the house was dirt-free, and the seeds had been planted both inside and out, seeds of love of the land and each other.