12/02/2022
I was driving in the middle of nowhere today with nothing but cornfields and farmers last minute finishing up working their vast windblown acres in the state I was born, Illinois. I noticed a private meticulously groomed path leading to a very old small cemetery up on a mound, surrounded by nothing but corn and bean fields. I drove up the path and silently walked the brisk winter sun grounds. It was a history snapshot of where I grew up. There was 4, 5, 6 family farmer generations buried there. Most were families that came to America to find their dream of farming their own piece of land, The American Dream .The oldest grave was almost as old as our nation. There was German, Irish, Italian, English, Norwegian and other such names. They were proud patriots as I noticed there were soldiers who fought for in world wars defending our country's freedom. It appeared there were several who fought to stop slavery. The older graves had children and young age markers, a test of the times. This cold windy place encapsulated their lives, proud tillers of the soil who were born and died here, never leaving. They were never rich in coin, but rich in pride, building a future for next generations to come, "us"! This place was a beautiful reminder not to forget, but remember how hard a life they had so we may prosper. I just think its important to remember that nothing was easy back then like it is now. And as I look at my Illinois forefathers and mothers, I want to publicly thank them as I scan their names and say "thanks so much" for their sacrices made and blistered hands without a complaint.
