When Dad lived with us he got the Gaylord Hub sent to him to keep up with the place where he’d spent his entire career. He knew most of the people featured in articles and on the obituary page. For the 24 years since his death, I’ve received the Hub to read news of the community that raised me and my siblings. 

Several weeks ago an obituary appeared of the sister of one of my classmates. News of her family reminded me how very large it was. There were fourteen children, eleven were girls, three boys. Farm families tended to be good sized because of all the work required on a farm. It led to thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of such a large crew in the fifties. Advantages included companionship, hand-me-downs, shared responsibility for younger siblings, and sharing everything, including beds and rooms. I suspect there were rivalries and spats, but the love in that family was palpable. When the older ones were able to drive, younger ones had transportation without relying on parents. Chores were shared and there was homework help for the younger ones.

As I reflect on those days, my classmate and her siblings were involved in many school activities and events. It didn’t occur to me then how interesting life must have been in that family.