CELEBRATING
A Family Legacy
My brother’s text message stunned me.
“Big news, hot off the press - the family farm was sold!”
The year on the original deed is 1827, the farm has been in my family for 197 years. My Great-great-grandfather built the homestead on the property by quarrying stone from the creek bed there, firing the stones in a homemade lime kiln, all by hand. He then brought his father over from Germany to live out his days there. My Grandfather was born in that house as was my father. My parents and a brother severed lots from the land and built homes right down the road.
Even though I’ve lived 200 miles away for almost 30 years, the property is deeply interwoven in my life, my parents' lives, and that of our families. I felt unraveled at the loss of this legacy and the underlying layers of grief - because of my husband’s illness, the loss of my parents and another brother - all of it caught me off guard.
And then came the silver linings. Ready?
My cousin could no longer maintain the property and he and his wife bought a beautiful home on the next concession south. While the decision to sell was a heavy one, they're relieved and happy with what’s next for them.Silver lining number one.
Turns out the farm was purchased by a man who grew up just down the road and across the street, who still lives in the community, is an immaculate farmer, and is renovating and restoring the old homestead. I have no doubt that this piece of history will be restored to a beauty it has never been before. Silver lining number two.
What was a source of sadness has now become a thing of joy and something to celebrate. It's really a parallel to pretty much every rotten occurrence in my life. Good... bad... better... worse than bad... fantastic. Ok, I have the years under my belt and am able to view my lifeline for proof of this, but can you relate?
Negative and difficult events that happen in life always yield something better.
And yes, most often the 'something better' doesn't come when we want it to. Sometimes it takes years and requires a heap of patience and resilience we don't think we have.
Moral of the story? Change can be hard, and if you keep wallowing in the muck, resisting it, you'll be blind to the glory ahead. Seize the day and celebrate with all of your senses!
With gratitude,
“What you leave as a legacy
is not what is etched in stone monuments,
but what is woven into the lives of others.”
-Anonymous
Otterman Family Homestead, July 2024 (top of page) and mid-late 1800’s (above)
© emily otterman