Remembering Laura

Yesterday was perfect weather for a family field trip we had been planning for a long time. We went to visit Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Mansfield, Missouri home. My husband and I had been there before, but we wanted to share the experience with our children, and it was such a fun trip. After arriving we had a picnic, and everything was so beautiful, with the dogwoods and red bud trees in bloom.


After our picnic, we entered the museum. It was so hard for me to not be able to photograph anything in the museum (no photos allowed), as there were many things I would have liked to have a picture of. Mary’s nine-patch quilt (the girls and I loved seeing this!), Pa’s fiddle, letters written by Pa (to Royal and Almanzo), letters written by Laura (to various family members), wedding and family photos, clothing made and worn by Laura (including a beautiful white lawn dress with insertion lace and tucks…so beautiful!)…so many interesting and lovely things to see.

After the museum we went into the Rocky Ridge farmhouse and enjoyed the tour there. I especially liked all the very low cabinets which Almanzo built especially for Laura, who was only 4’11” (love fellow short ladies!).



Next we went to the gift shop and picked out some souvenirs and post cards. Then we were off to the Rock House which the Wilders’ daughter Rose built as a retirement home for her aging parents. What a beautiful house!

I especially loved the heavy, arched wooden door. The arches were repeated throughout the architecture of the house in the doorways and in little built-in nooks and shelves.


There was such a peaceful view from the house. After leaving Mansfield we stopped at a Mennonite discount grocery and bulk food store, where we picked up (among other things) a 50 lb bag of oats and a 50 lb bag of long-grain brown rice.

All of the children said they really enjoyed our trip. I think it was more memorable to them because David is reading the books to us in the evenings after dinner (we’re reading Farmer Boy now, which is my personal favorite). Seeing the photographs and the personal belongings of Laura and her family helped to cement in their minds that these were real people who lived these stories. I think it also brought time and eternity a little closer to us all, to realize that they lived on this earth. They are no longer here. Their time to live on this earth is over. It made me think; what will be said of me when I’m gone? What will my children and grandchildren remember about me? Am I living each day in the light of eternity? Am I living for Jesus and drawing others to Him?

“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” ~ Psalm 90:12

2 Comments

  1. I would love to visit your area! I've been to Canada before (to be in a friend's wedding), but I went to Nanaimo, BC (?). It was very beautiful there…from the photos I've seen of the setting for "Anne of Green Gables," that is also very beautiful!

    Reply

  2. Oh! We would love to visit Laura Ingall's place sooo much!
    What about…
    You come to our place and visit Ann of Green Gables wich is 1 1/2 hour drive from here and we go to your place and visit Laura's home 🙂

    Reply

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