ponykilr
Guest
My uncle Jerry Murphy was an extraordinary man. He was my dad's sister's husband and I spent much of my youth on his farm in Archer lodge. He seemed to understand how the mind of a young man worked and taught me much more than farming, woodscraft and other "man stuff", he taught me how to be patient, shrewd, creative, violent and kind and when to be each of those.
He passed away this year and there was this big hole in our family. My cousin, his only daughter, has especially had a hard time. She misses him desperately and I really wanted to do something to help her heal. We gathered at the farm several weeks ago to see my oldest nephew marry his sweetheart. It was a glorious occasion and we laughed and danced until the wee hours under a huge old tractor shelter. I have never been so proud of my crew than that day. We came together strong and proud and in love at the place where many of us grew up.
It was there I hatched my plan. You see, there was this one barn attached to the big shelter that was just filled with old hay and some assorted junk. It would be, with some work, a great place to gather as a family. Could I turn it into a family hall of sorts? Could I get it ready by Christmas? Damn right.
With help, I cleaned it out (took 5 loads to the dump and moved 4 loads of straw) and assessed what we had. With some wiring, lights, lots of cleaning and some construction, we turned it into a place worthy of a great man's legacy. It has LED lights, propane heat, a new bar with drawers, cedar chip floor over the 100 year old dirt and lot's of items we found inside as decoration.
As a surprise for everyone, I have secretly made a sign and painted it. It has a tobacco stick frame, freehand letters and an antique look. I can't wait til the rest see it. I can't wait to share how happy it makes me feel.
Cherish your family. Never let anything come between those you love and you. Take the time to love them and spend hours just doing anything from hard work to being silly. It's relationships that matter.
Here's to you Murph, I miss you.
He passed away this year and there was this big hole in our family. My cousin, his only daughter, has especially had a hard time. She misses him desperately and I really wanted to do something to help her heal. We gathered at the farm several weeks ago to see my oldest nephew marry his sweetheart. It was a glorious occasion and we laughed and danced until the wee hours under a huge old tractor shelter. I have never been so proud of my crew than that day. We came together strong and proud and in love at the place where many of us grew up.
It was there I hatched my plan. You see, there was this one barn attached to the big shelter that was just filled with old hay and some assorted junk. It would be, with some work, a great place to gather as a family. Could I turn it into a family hall of sorts? Could I get it ready by Christmas? Damn right.
With help, I cleaned it out (took 5 loads to the dump and moved 4 loads of straw) and assessed what we had. With some wiring, lights, lots of cleaning and some construction, we turned it into a place worthy of a great man's legacy. It has LED lights, propane heat, a new bar with drawers, cedar chip floor over the 100 year old dirt and lot's of items we found inside as decoration.
As a surprise for everyone, I have secretly made a sign and painted it. It has a tobacco stick frame, freehand letters and an antique look. I can't wait til the rest see it. I can't wait to share how happy it makes me feel.
Cherish your family. Never let anything come between those you love and you. Take the time to love them and spend hours just doing anything from hard work to being silly. It's relationships that matter.
Here's to you Murph, I miss you.
