Collection of Oak Leaves

We visited the old property where Dave’s grandmother grew up. Walking up the hill to the property, Aunt Eva, Dave’s grandmother’s sister, refused any offer of assistance – she is a strong, independent woman. We didn’t understand much of what was said between Eva and Cousin Giovanni, but her actions told us the story – that she remembered the large Oak Trees. That she remembered the times growing up by the fruit trees and grapevines. That she could see her sister’s husband reflected in Dave’s face.

I watched Eva collect branches from the oak tree on the property she knew as a child, and am filled with feelings of nostalgia - my own memories of growing up among huge pine trees. Then my thoughts turn to my family. What will my children remember about growing up? Would they want to come back to the cornfields of Illinois? Or will the experience of having lived and loved simply be enough.


For now, that is enough for me. But perhaps someday I’ll decide to go back to the property I grew up on. If that happens, I only hope I will be accompanied by my great nephew or niece who reminds me of myself at that age.