I remember the 3/4 acre my paternal grandparents last lived on, and how it included a greenhouse and a well-supplied tool shed. The land that extended beyond the garage/tool building had a full, lovely and varied flower garden on the right. On the left, was where multiple vegetable, tomato and melon plants grew. I can still remember the lazy days of summer mornings and afternoons when drivers would stop to buy tomatoes, cucumbers, apples or pears from the Walmo Gardens in Pennsylvania. Equally possible, was a car appearing in my grandparents’ driveway after Saturday supper and a man or woman would come to the back door to inquire if my grandmother could put together a flower arrangement for Sunday morning’s church service. They always managed to leave with a smile as they clutched the newspaper filled with both variety of style and color in a flower bouquet.

At the back of the gardens, were a variety of fruit trees. We, the grandchildren, could play outside and appeal to those trees for sweet nourishment when we were hungry. We could choose from red, green or golden apples. Also included in the were pear and peach trees. When I was young, I guess I thought this was fairly common for most all children. Now that I am all grown up and our children are too, I realize the great wealth that was afforded us.

It wasn’t easy at the time to be patient and to cope with waiting while my parents were visiting family. However, with just a little exercise of patience, I learned many fascinating things from the older people in my life. Many times they gave me respect and admiration for older people – by their gifts, or a listening ear, sharing a book, or hearing their stories to understand the world in earlier times from their perspective.

With just a few of these expressed thoughts or reflection, it is my hope that not all of today’s young people think that the best advice or wisdom comes from their peers. That would be a considerable loss!!!

However, now with times getting tougher, how I wish that I had a house with some land so that I now could grow vegetables, fruits and other things to help with our food supply. But growing up, I lived in the city and now I live in the city and am removed from any hint of an agrarian lifestyle.

I agree that it’s important for young people to be afforded the rich things of life, not just the latest technology toys. Thank you for your article.