A few weeks ago, I came across a small black patent leather purse my great-grandmother, Nana, had given me when I was five years old. A million memories flooded my mind as I examined the contents. A tin Band-Aid box, an empty mini perfume bottle, 5 cent stamp books, order forms and envelopes for the Sears Roebuck and Co., a small leather wallet, empty Milk Duds boxes, and a petite pair of leather gloves. It was a collection of experiences—experiences with my Nana.
She had immigrated from England to America in 1922 with her five-year-old daughter, Marjorie (my grandmother), to join her husband, Thomas Trow, in Helper, Utah. She was a loving, resilient, hard working woman. She loved her garden, the kitchen, black licorice, baking, reading, crocheting, knitting, writing, and, of course, me!
I spent many summers at her home. It was surrounded by fields of wheat, corn, wild rhubarb and very few neighbors. Her cottage garden was a sanctuary. There were apricot, pie cherry, and plum trees. Lilacs, snowballs, iris, peonies, poppies, columbine, zinnias, and four o'clock adorned the flower beds. She taught me the names of all her flowers, how to water them, dead-head them and gather their seeds in late summer for planting the following Spring. She had a coal shed filled with old license plates, tires, hoses and oil cans—we call them "loose parts" at Marbles Farm. They became a gas station, a repair shop and car wash during those summer days. The high branches of the apricot tree were the perfect hiding spot during hide-and-seek. The root cellar, with its creaky door, was a haunted house at night. I found adventure in every room and every part of her yard.
She provided opportunities for me to explore, to be curious and to problem solve.
I played store, went on make-believe shopping trips, ordered items from the Sears catalog, made cherry pies from scratch, wrote letters, learned how to hold knitting needles and make my first hot pad, made up grocery lists, played Old Maid, Rook and Crazy 8's. I even memorized her phone number—NE7 3510.
This small purse and its contents shaped my life. It is a part of who I am. I find joy in hard work. I love the outdoors. My garden is a sanctuary. Lilacs and peonies are my favorite flowers. Spending time in the kitchen is pure enjoyment. I can still make pies from scratch. Fifty plus years has not erased the tender learning experiences I had with my Nana.
At Marbles Farm, the power of daily experiences and opportunities to explore, be curious, and to problem solve will shape the future of the children who attend.
We hope your family will join us at Marbles Farm starting Fall 2018.