The Farm of Dreams, a family story from Anusha Seeri

 The Farm of Dreams

My mother and prior generations have all been raised in a small village where most people got their money from owning farms. That was the case with my grandfather whose dad owned a massive farm and was the sole person bringing in money to support a large family because he had many children. When my grandfather was 17 years old his father passed away. This took a major toll on the family because he was the only person supporting the family and this also forced my grandfather to take his father’s position.

My grandfather left school and decided to learn how to run a farm. The first few years were incredibly hard and hectic. Managing a farm takes a lot of skill and experience and his father had not taught him a lot about it. My grandfather managed the farm with a lot of trial and error. My grandmother told me how incredibly poor they were in the first few years. Each person had maybe two outfits in which they would alternate. They had almost no food on the table but after a few years, my grandfather was able to earn enough money to grow his farm and with experience bought money for the family. 

A few years later my mother was born and she told me how growing up her father would save money any chance he got. Her father would only allow her and her siblings to have 2 outfits and one pair of slippers for a full year. She would tell me how when it was raining she and her brothers would run through the mud with their slippers in their hands in order not to break them. My mom always knew that her father was like this not because he didn't love her but because of the fear of ever being in a tough situation again. He wanted to save money so his kids would never get put into the same situation. 

The farm has always held an important place in my heart because my grandfather would always take me there when I came to India and he still does. I know how significant it is to our family because it stands as a connecting ground from our ancestors because it has been passed down for many generations. When I visit my grandfather's farm I feel a closer connection to him, he tells me all the storied of his family and the farm. He shows me the place where his father and mother were buried and when he does this it allows me to see a different side of him and connect with him. I also believe that the farm itself has so many stories in it of the many generations that have passed through.