Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Family History


My Uncle Walter slept in the same room, in this bed, for over 65 years. It was never moved from the spot where it was placed. The bed was brought to the farm home in 1917 when the house was built. Uncle was just over six feet tall, and he slept on this twin-sized bed without a single complaint all those years.

I acquired the bed from the family silent auction after his death in 1993. He was 93 years young. He never married, instead he choose to stay and take care of the family farm and his widowed mother and handicapped brother. In the winter of his life I asked him if he had any regrets. He thought for a moment and said he missed not having a wife and children. But then, ever the diplomat, added, "instead, I have seven nieces and nephews that have brought me happiness."

I don't ever remember him being ill. He was incredibly active for his years. At 89, after surviving a 25-foot fall from a tree he was trimming with only a broken hip, he healed and continued his active farming life. At age 93, a tractor accident finally took his life.

A most noble man was he.

5 comments:

Aiyana said...

Nice post about a beloved uncle. Do you have the same mattress, or just the bed frame?

Pudgeduck said...

the matress is new. My granddaughter has the guest bedroom suite from the family farm house. The matress is 56 years old , and still is perfect condition.

Aiyana said...

I saw an Oprah show where people used their same pillows for 12-20 years. It was a digusting sight, and hard to believe. I change my pillows every three months!
If a mattress is still perfect after 56 years, it must not have been slept on much. Did any guests ever use it?

Pudgeduck said...

No Rain: The matress was only used a few times while in the farm home. My granddaughter has slept on it for one two years now.

Pudgeduck said...

No Rain: The matress was only used a few times while in the farm home. My granddaughter has slept on it for one two years now.