Monday, May 2, 2011

Monday Mail Call ~ Happy ... And a Bad Situation ~ very Sad, very...very Sad Situation...

Blog reading provides such inspiration and motivation...
One of my favorites is 'Sew Many Ways'...
I love to stop by and see what Karen has created...or what blog tips she has to share.
I was ecstatic to learn I had won her spring give-away!
I mean, she has 2,539 followers...and I won her give-away!!
I was thrilled, to say the least....just check out these goodies...
Thank you, Karen.
You are so generous and everything is perfect!

Be sure to stop by and visit her sewing studio...
it is the envy of everyone's eye!

Now, on a sad, sad note...
Our family farmstead will (if it hasn't already) be consumed by the waters of Devils Lake.
Upon returning from our weekend trip, we learned that one dike south of our farm had broken through on Saturday, and a dike just north of the farm broke through yesterday. 
Our renters, with a large crew of family and friends, vacated our house with everything they could take...

The rest was left behind...
Our beautiful home was built by my great grandfather,
Anders J. Kirkeide.

Five bedrooms...
and a bathroom with claw foot bathtub and pedestal sink.

Living room & Parlor,
 with beautiful sliding, wooden pocket doors to separate...

The wonderful light fixtures...
Fancy door knobs...
Stained glass windows...
The open staircase...
...the one where my grandma, the bride...
walked down those stairs to meet my grandpa, her groom...
and be married in the corner of that parlor...

(and oh, how my grandpa loved to tell that story)

The farm was to always remain in our family.

My parents worked so hard...
They scrimped and they saved.
They never bought anything new...
 Many years we even went without a Christmas tree.

My aunts gave me their old clothing and I cut it apart to use the fabric pieces to sew clothes for myself.
My dad drove a school bus in the winter for extra money.

He and my grandpa labored long, hard hours to sow and harvest a crop...
...and my mom and I had dinner on the table...
12 o'clock sharp.

The family farm...now entrusted to me...

One day, when I was in high school,
and we were alone,
My dad said,
"Never, ever, sell the farm."
"ok, Daddy, I promise."


The prediction was that the gravel road to the north would give out this morning and the water would be up on our front porch before noon today...
I have a lump in my throat and tears sting my eyes.

Our family's home...
Five generations of memories...
Swallowed up in minutes...

...And there is nothing we can do to stop it.

Take care,
~Natalie

32 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm sorry, Natalie. I'm truly very sorry. It is so very sad about your home place. Family means a lot to you and it's obvious by the way you care for the old farm place. :-(

Nancy

Maureen said...

Natalie my heart was hurting for you while reading your post about the family home.

Angela said...

I am so sorry. Praying perhaps it will not be as bad as predicted. And that no lives will be lost. My parents are flooded in on their farm. They are safe though. Just inconvenienced.

Connie said...

I'm so sorry Natalie. I hope it won't be as bad as they predict.

Take care,
Connie

M said...

Oh...oh...that makes me so very sad. I love family history and what a lot of memories you have. Sending prayers your way.

Ramblin Mama said...

So, so sorry to hear this. I know how much that homestead means to you and your family. I'm sure you are all heartbroken. Possibly, just possibly, things may not be as bad as expected. Maybe there'll be fixable damage but the basic structure will survive. In any case, you have many, many wonderful memories and stories to hold in your heart forever.

The Rusty Thimble said...

Oh natalie how heart breaking I am so sorry to read this.

Hugs
Brenda

Kattywhompus Primitives said...

I'm so sorry Natalie...my heart goes out to you. I'm sure your Daddy would be the first to understand that you are helpless in this truly heartbreaking situation...after all he farmed that land and knew it well. We will pray that the damage is not nearly as bad as expected. Please let us know how things turn out. Hugs to you.
Rhonda

The Social Frog said...

Ohhh, wow! I am so sorry to hear of this, it is indeed a very sad thing! Hugs!!


www.thesocialfrog.com

Rachel said...

Oh that is just so sad! I pray that it somehow can be saved ~ I'm so very sorry. :(

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

Oh Natalie, I am so so sorry for your Heartache! I DO understand and I'm praying for you and SO many others!
God Bless you,
Big Giant Hugs to you,
Donna

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Dear Natalie:
How heartbreaking to have all that history destroyed. Will there be any way to salvage anything if or when the water recedes? I'll pray that the way spares your family home.
xoxo
donna

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss! Our prayers are with you.

Firecracker Kid said...

Oh my, I'm so sorry Natalie. Living on the river as a child, I know how quickly the waters can rise. Your family homestead sounds beautiful and you do have all those sweet memories to cherish. I'm praying the water won't reach it.
Hugs~Carol

Old Time Cindy said...

My heart goes out to you. So sorry for the heartache this is causing. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

Natalie I am lighting a candle and saying prayers this day for you and your home......
Tina xo

My Colonial Home said...

H Natalie, Oh such a sad thing to happen...Mother Nature just doesn't care and I guess we never know when she calls to us...I wish there was something you could do. And such a wonderful long family history.

I love all you received in the package...really nice.
Karen

Suzanne said...

Oh Natalie. I'm so sorry about your farm. I hope it will not be as bad as predicted. (a prayer has already been said) - Suzanne

Busy Bee Suz said...

Natalie, this is such heartbreaking news to hear.
I can't imagine how heavy your heart is today....sending prayers that the damage is minimal (or none)
Please keep us updated. You will be in my thoughts.
So much history...I love that the home has stayed in your family.

Wendy @ Ravenwood Whimzies said...

How very sad.....my heart aches for you and your family at the loss of this treasure of a home that means so much to you all. Hoping and praying the waters don't come as high as expected.
Hugs

Oklahoma Granny said...

My heart is breaking for you. I pray that somehow things won't be as bad as predicted.

The Moonlit Stitch said...

Your homestead is breathtaking-no wonder you are heartbroken. Your dad would never blame you for the water rising, but be proud of you for handling it and wanting to protect the farm. Your folks sound like such hard workers and strong people and so are you - we can't stop mother nature but we can tell her "bring it" because we are survivors. God bless you - pls keep us updated. ~*~Lisa

Brenda said...

Oh Natalie, I'm so very sorry!! It's got to be heart wrenching for you, my heart breaks for you. Hopefully it won't be as bad as they say.

HUGS!
Brenda

Anonymous said...

am so sorry...its two days since you posted so perhaps the worst is over...flood insurance?

jdavissquared said...

Oh, Natalie! I'm so sorry, Saying prayers right now that the flood waters will spare your beautiful farm. I cannot even imagine.

prims by olde lady morgan said...

Natalie, Oh tears, the history, how painful!! I hope that it will not be as bad as they are saying.... Fingers crossed! OLM

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said...

Sorry to hear this...My prayers are with you!

Wicked Faerie Queen said...

Oh, Natalie my eyes are filled with tears for you. I don't know what I would do if we lost our farmhouse to such tragedy. They say it is only wood and glass and shingles but that is not true, it's your heart and your memories and your family. I will hold out hope that it is not as bad as you think and that you can salvage your lovely farmhouse.

My blessings are with you,
Sue

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

Because our city experienced a devastating flood in 2008, I know how devastating this is...I am so deeply sorry.

Please keep us updated.

Karen from Sew Many Ways... said...

Oh Natalie...my heart and prayers go out to you and your family. Our area suffered a enormous flood last year, where some parts were under 6 feet of water. A year later there is hope, rebuilding and families are back in their homes. Homes were saved, so keep a positive heart.
You'll be in my prayers,
Karen
ps...glad the package made it safe and sound

Unknown said...

I am so sorry Natalie. How very sad. Have you heard any news yet?

Farm Field Primitives said...

I am so very sorry for this loss. The memories made there are with you forever. I will say prayers for you and to the family who lived there. So sorry.
~Melissa~

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