Early Childhood Memories From the Heartland

We hope this Memorial Day weekend finds you well and enjoying the quiet ease that late May brings. Here in the Heartland, the week began with generous rains that soaked the fields and gardens, and the return of the sun felt especially welcome as families stepped into these first unhurried days of Summer. Fresh strawberries have begun to appear on tables, and the gardens will soon need tending again as the ground continues to dry. With the long weekend underway, it feels like the right moment to begin our new series on growing up Amish. Several of the families who weave the baskets many of you enjoy have shared memories from their early years, and their stories offer a gentle window into childhood in Amish homes.

One woman in the community recalled that her earliest memory of helping was washing dishes at five years old. She remembered standing on a small wooden stool so she could reach the basin, her hands disappearing into the warm water as she tried to keep up with the plates her older siblings handed her. Farm chores followed soon after. Even at that age she could carry in kindling or gather eggs, and she remembered feeling proud when her mother trusted her with small tasks. In many Amish homes, children learn early that they are part of the household in a meaningful way, and she remembered that feeling clearly.

When asked about the sounds she remembered most, she smiled and said popcorn popping. She could still picture the kettle on the stove and the way the sound filled the kitchen on cool evenings. Popcorn and apple cider were the foods she associated most with her early years, and she spoke of them with a fondness that made it easy to imagine a warm kitchen filled with simple comforts.

Her favorite place to sit was on her dad’s lap. She remembered the steady feeling of being held and how safe she felt there. She also remembered being afraid of the dark. Her parents comforted her by simply being present, and she said that was enough. Bedtime brought its own memories. She recalled being so tired that she wanted to go to bed, yet she did not want to go upstairs alone. When none of her siblings were ready to go with her, she would fall asleep on the couch. Later someone would gently wake her and guide her upstairs.

Mornings were another story. She remembered getting up for school and feeling that it was far too early. Many Amish children walk to school or ride in a buggy, and mornings begin with chores before breakfast. She remembered that feeling well. She also remembered how her older siblings influenced her early years. They always found a way to put her to work, and she learned the difference between work time and playtime by watching them. When they came home from school, she knew it was time to help again.

Her dad always praised her cooking efforts as she grew older and encouraged her to try new recipes. That praise stayed with her and helped her feel confident in the kitchen. She also remembered a rule she did not understand until she was older. She was not allowed to sew until her mother felt she was ready. At the time it felt unfair, but later she understood that her mother wanted her to learn the right way and not become frustrated.

One memory that still makes her smile is the way her dad would lift her onto the wagon seat when he came in from the fields. She remembered the feeling of sitting on the wagon while he unhitched the horses, proud to be included in even the smallest part of his work. She said those quiet moments at the end of the day stayed with her, and she still thinks of them whenever she sees a team coming in from the fields. It is a simple memory, but it speaks to the steady closeness of family life.

Stories from Our Amish Basket Weavers

Here are a few of the most notable moments from the families who weave the beautiful baskets featured on AmishBaskets.com, shared with us this week.

The Borntrager Family

Dorothy shared that early Tuesday morning, around 2:30, she woke to the steady cry of a kitten outside her bedroom window. When she stepped out to look, she found one of their barn cats with a newborn tucked close beside her. Before long, several more tiny voices joined in, and by 3:30 a few of the children were awake and eager for a quick look before returning to bed. By daylight they had counted five kittens, all nursing quietly. Four are soft grey and white, and one is black with small touches of orange. The children have been happily talking about names all week.

The Yoder Family

The Yoder family has had a full and lively week as they prepared their home for church services this Sunday. The girls focused on the deep cleaning inside the house, while the men worked on the grounds and the shop to make sure everything was ready for the nearly 130 people who will gather there. On Thursday several women and girls from the district came to help with the final touches, filling the home with cheerful conversation as they worked. The bench wagon arrived on Wednesday, and on Saturday the family moved their kitchen and living room furniture into adjoining rooms so the benches could be set in place. The children have been watching the preparations with excitement, knowing the day will bring many familiar faces and plenty of visiting.

"Happiness is not in doing what we like to do, but in liking what we have to do."

- Amish Wisdom Overheard in the Community.