Minneapolis, 3/9/2010
In December of 2009 a friend asked me to speak to group of successful business people on the origins of Osiris Organization at his Wednesday morning group he had just joined. Oddly enough, recalling memories, mainly about my grandfather, my speech preparation set in motion introspective thoughts about my early life.
Reflections during this time are best shared by life stories. The presentation opened a flood of emotions. Memories which are so much of part of who I am, consequently, why I felt called to do what I do.
Marvell, Arkansas in 1957. Mom was a teen at the time of my birth. Our extended family consisted of my grandfather, grandmother, four aunts and many cousins in this farming community. Mom graduated high school, married and moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. I remained with my grandparents and aunts. Vivid memories of live stock, fruit trees, gardens, and acres of open land. Hunting, fishing and the comradarie of the men. Huge barbecues with all the attendant sights and smells. Family, community. Life.
How hard they all worked their land! Grandfather was a proud man who valued self reliance. He trusted assistance only from family. My aunts arrived home from school and quickly dressed to work the fields. Evening held communion during dinner together.
1963. Grandfather decided to moved the family to Chicago. No one knows why he decided to move. It wasn’t up for debate. He decided. Perhaps he thought making more money was the answer to giving us a better life. I was his only son. Did he wish his daughters unburdened with the challenges of farm maintanence?I grew older and I remember my aunts’ stories of how happy our family was living on our own land. Our farm was our family business. No 30 year mortgage, credit cards; no concern about FICA scores, the real estate market. No retirement plans, stock market investments, no woes about the economy. We birthed, lived, died, and respected the rhythm of the land.
Reflecting, talking to my aunts to confirm my memories, we learned a lot about the benefits of hard work, family values, sharing, and self reliance. We packed those values with our belongings as we journeyed to a new life in Chicago in 1963. And this curious, foreign, big city life unfolded.
3/16, Life in Chicago.
2 Comments
Bill,
I am honored to be the first to post a comment to your first post. I remember when you first shared this part of your story with me and how you enjoyed the way life was for you and your family in the south. It is very interesting that your grandfather decided to give up everything that you guys had in the south to move to the big city. I noticed that you will be continuing your story next week and I am looking forward to it. I know that you have shared a lot with me about your past but I am sure I will learn something new about you through your posts.
-Cortez
I didn’t know you were born in AR. Little details will grow our friendship through a lifetime.