Canterbury
One branch of Riley's family tree is firmly rooted on a gorgeous country lot in a small Connecticut town called Canterbury. His great-great grandparents raised his great-grandmother, Nana, there and she in turned raised her children, including Riley's grandpa Eric, in the very same house. Even old pops, Andy, lived there for a few months as a kid. Although Andy's family mostly lived elsewhere, Andy would spend some of his childhood summers on the family farm, feeding the chickens and playing in the flowing brook.
One of Andy's aunts, Liisa, still lives on the property, in a house she and her husband built themselves 35 years ago. In what is definitely a highlight of our trip back east this summer, Liisa invited us out for a tour of the old family stomping grounds I've heard so much about over the years. She made us a delicious feast and led us on a delightful tour around the property. We watched a cow get milked and another eat hay. Riley giggled at the chickens as they peeked in and out of their coop, unsure of whether to trust their three foot tall visitor.
We plodded down to the beautiful family brook and Liisa showed Riley how leaves and other objects flowed down its current. At first I was nervous about navigating the slippery rocks in the brook until Liisa told me that both she and Nana would relieve back pain, catch a break from the heat and simply relax during their own pregnancies by lying in the water.
Later Liisa led us through the walnut trees and over to the black raspberry bushes growing throughout her yard. Riley, who has lately begged for raspberries every single day, couldn't believe his luck when Liisa let him snack right off the vines.
One of Andy's aunts, Liisa, still lives on the property, in a house she and her husband built themselves 35 years ago. In what is definitely a highlight of our trip back east this summer, Liisa invited us out for a tour of the old family stomping grounds I've heard so much about over the years. She made us a delicious feast and led us on a delightful tour around the property. We watched a cow get milked and another eat hay. Riley giggled at the chickens as they peeked in and out of their coop, unsure of whether to trust their three foot tall visitor.
We plodded down to the beautiful family brook and Liisa showed Riley how leaves and other objects flowed down its current. At first I was nervous about navigating the slippery rocks in the brook until Liisa told me that both she and Nana would relieve back pain, catch a break from the heat and simply relax during their own pregnancies by lying in the water.
Later Liisa led us through the walnut trees and over to the black raspberry bushes growing throughout her yard. Riley, who has lately begged for raspberries every single day, couldn't believe his luck when Liisa let him snack right off the vines.
It was a pitch perfect day, bringing to life family lore I'd heard so much about throughout the past decade. I only wish Nana could have seen how happy her great grandson was to play on the land that she, her parents, her own children and some of her grandchildren called home.
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