My (Dad’s) idea of Heaven.

October 27th, 2006 | Filed under Family, Photos, Travel

There is a running joke in my family that when my parents pass away my mother wants to buried in Dimock cemetary which is the church she grew up in, while my dad wants to be cremated and spread out over this very field south of Madison, SD.

I finally, and for the first time understood why…and I’d be lying if I wasn’t thinking of requesting the same for my earthly remains.

I realize that it is a little bit dramatic to proclaim a hillside to be heaven, but wow, it is absolutely gorgeous. Directly south of the above photo is the farm my dad grew up on and has been in the family for 4 generations. While trudging over the hills towards the end of the day for some reason the place just started to feel like home. Now I probably haven’t been out there walking around in over a decade and no one from my immediate family has lived out there in 30 years…but the place just felt right…relaxing even. Maybe it was the combination of 3 generations of my family gathering together as has been done every year, or the beautiful fall day with its crisp, chilly air but I completely felt like I belonged there…and not in a social sense, but rather that I physically belonged there. I really don’t know how to put the feeling into words and I feel like a dope trying to describe it but let me sum it up in a phrase…it felt good.

My Dad’s cousin Brad still owns the farm and I can see why, there is nothing like watching the sun go down behind a silhouetted row of trees (photo below). I felt a little odd snapping away with my camera as we were walking the fields hunting pheasants, but I couldn’t help myself. How often do I get a chance to witness this much natural beauty at my own time and on my own pace.

Prior to having my psuedo-religious experience out at the family farm the gf and I had a great evening of Hoffman family fun. That Friday night was my cousin Mike and his now wife Suzy’s wedding, which took place at this gorgeous cathedral (photo below). As if a coincidence my Grandmother (on the other side) actually grew up attending St. Joseph’s and its one of the nicest cathedrals I’ve ever been too. She calls it “her church” and in many ways it is, as she grew up a block away, attended the Cathedral school from K-12 and received all of her sacraments, including marriage in the church. There was so much pride in her voice as she spoke about it and I couldn’t help but smile as she talked about her life as a city girl before she got married to a farmer.

The rest of the weekend was spent hanging out at the Kappenman’s and B.S.ing each other to no end…which if you know my Uncles it is their favorite past time. If I ever start to get a big head I know I can always make the drive up north and get myself back down to size.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and here are the rest of the pics from the trip.

p.s. Also, Teressa found out that my Aunt loves Anne of Green Gables and they are now kindred spirits which made the trip all the more fun.