Yesterday I was talking to a baker who provides the bread and other goodies at our Farmer’s Market. It turns out he’s been married to the same woman for nearly forty years and he has twelve children, all of whom help with the business.
What struck me was not only how in love he still is with his wife, but how close they are as a family. They never have big disagreements, which he puts down in part to not having had any TV in the house since 1990.
The kids all play together on the farm, riding, helping out (they earn their pocket money by washing the vans and helping clean trays) and every Sunday nearly all of them gather for Sunday lunch, cooked by the baker himself. There are 27 of them in total.
They’ve always worked for themselves, either running a guesthouse, a farm, a baby equipment business (from all those kids) and latterly the bakery. They mill their own flour and the whole family help with the baking, even those at school.
“We share everything,” he said “The family is our life. What could be better than working with those you love?”
When the conversation was over I felt privileged and humbled. What an incredible man. And what an amazing family.
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18 comments:
OMG. That's amazing. What a great family. You really really need to get along though, I mean 27 people! They must have done something special raising these kids. Great man indeed.
Daniele - lovely to see you again! Yes, I quite agree...
You know, that actually brought tears to my eyes. What else in the world could they possibly want or need?
A truly amazing family! So nice to hear about these days.
So very true, and wonderful to know how much it is valued still.
Yup, my cousin is much the same, 7 children and 27 for dinner. they are the most loving family and I am proud to know them and pleased and proud to be loved by them.
I suspect that the therapeutic action of kneading bread every day may have an impact too!
rc - I felt exactly the same way.
Ak - yes, very rare indeed, and heartwarming.
ellee - yes, I thought those kind of values had gone.
Philipa - lucky you!
Graham - yes, i hadn't thought of that very obvious asset!
He/they must feel they are in heaven.... what a precious story...
I would of loved 8 or 9 kids....sigh..
x
ps....... me brother (that I rarely see) is married to the youngest of a family of 10 kids lol..... they, me brother and his wife have just the one kid themselves LOL
x
I admire large families as their capacity to give to one another seems limitless.
Pop over to mine to receive an accolade.....
marmite - glad you enjoyed it! Mind you, 8 or 9's quite a lot!
marmite - you don't often hear of ten kids either these days do you?
debio - yes I agree. Thanks for the accolade - will pop over ad have a look!
You have an award honey, please call and collect. x
What an incredible family and so unsual today.
Lovely!
Ak - goodness, many thanks!
Lane - Glad you enjoyed it. I did too.
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