
This month marks a grim milestone for our family. Itโs been an entire decade since my grandpa passed away. Our Papa Pete.
He grew up in Ukraine and saw the atrocities of World War II. The family moved to the United States and settled just outside of Chicago in April of 1949. Papa Pete worked in the steel mills until the 1950s. He and grandma purchased our family farm with his parents and moved to Southwest Michigan.
Papa Pete was on the farm for over 50 years. There are memories of himโgood and badโall over that land. He worked alongside us almost until the end. I donโt think he wouldโve wanted it any other way. And now his memory is part of our familyโs farm legacy.
Iโve often wondered what he would think of things now. Weโve completely transitioned away from the fruit production he was so familiar with. I know he would be worried about the farm economy and the future. I also like to think heโd be incredibly proud of my brothers and I.
Sometimes, when youโre on the farm and let your mind wander in a quiet moment, you can almost expect to see him driving his favorite blue pick-up truck down the road, cutting up a sun-warmed cantaloupe with his pocket knife, or sorting peaches for the market.
We miss you, Papa Pete.
Nice memory. Thanks for sharing. I hope you are doing well with your personal battle!