I drove down the blacktop road, my car filled with lively Amish children, nine-year-old Leah in the front seat with three little boys—4, 5, and 6– in the back.
Enjoyed your story and must tell you as it reminded me…. Three preschool neighbor kids knocked on the door to tell me that had a new baby brother. Named Michael Patrick. My twelve year old son ask in seriousness, ‘What’s his last name?” They looked at each other and said they didn’t know. So he explained how he had their same last name, because he was part of their family. They were so excited they quickly left to run home and tell their dad!
Nothing about being a subscriber to the Collaborative gives me as much joy as stories from Buggy Land. Your words bring a better world to life. Thank you.
Mary, such a fine piece of writing, as always. I see you're going to have a party at the Harkin Center. Thought you might find it interesting that Tom Harkin and I were both members of Writer's Roundtable at Iowa State, long before Tom entered politics. I remember nothing about his skill as a writer, but he certainly became a fine politician.
This was after Pearl Hogrefe had turned it over to Will Jumper. We'd still see her crossing campus. One good story: My dad ran the Younkers store in Ames, and years later I asked him if he remembered Pearl Hogrefe, "Oh, yes," he said, "Size 10, a little something in blue."
Heart warming story, beautiful for a Thanksgiving morning! Thank you so much Mary! Takes the edge off the business of driving the "death car" for sure!
Enjoyed your story and must tell you as it reminded me…. Three preschool neighbor kids knocked on the door to tell me that had a new baby brother. Named Michael Patrick. My twelve year old son ask in seriousness, ‘What’s his last name?” They looked at each other and said they didn’t know. So he explained how he had their same last name, because he was part of their family. They were so excited they quickly left to run home and tell their dad!
Nothing about being a subscriber to the Collaborative gives me as much joy as stories from Buggy Land. Your words bring a better world to life. Thank you.
So nice to hear, Bob. Thank you!
Love this one so much, Mary! You are blessing as a writer and as a person. Your Amish neighbors are lucky to have you!
Such a beautiful, heartening story! Thank you!
Mary, such a fine piece of writing, as always. I see you're going to have a party at the Harkin Center. Thought you might find it interesting that Tom Harkin and I were both members of Writer's Roundtable at Iowa State, long before Tom entered politics. I remember nothing about his skill as a writer, but he certainly became a fine politician.
Oh, thank you, Ted. Was the round table with Pearl Hogrefe? A great tradition at ISU.
This was after Pearl Hogrefe had turned it over to Will Jumper. We'd still see her crossing campus. One good story: My dad ran the Younkers store in Ames, and years later I asked him if he remembered Pearl Hogrefe, "Oh, yes," he said, "Size 10, a little something in blue."
That’s great! Pearl in blue.
Lovely story. Heartwarming
Wow! Great column. You are an MVP human being.
👍A beautiful “thanksgiving” story.
Heart warming story, beautiful for a Thanksgiving morning! Thank you so much Mary! Takes the edge off the business of driving the "death car" for sure!
Good news! So very welcome these days.
I can feel your joy and excitement!
Thank you, Mary. What a heartwarming Thanksgiving morning share.