FAMILY HARVEST (revised) By Sarah Joy Holden ©️
Grace was a Labourer in the field of her home counties. From dawn till dusk there you would find her, working along side her father. Grace was in her 40's and her father showed the wisdom of his years. There was also Keith and Will the hired farm hands. Whilst mother stayed home doing the good duties of a devoted mother and wife.
Whatever the season or circumstance there was always plenty to do. The neighbouring farm would sometimes lend a hand if needed. Grace, Keith, Will and father would return the favour whe a neighbour needed. Sometimes Grace mother would also lend a hand.
No greater time was needed on the farm than when it was harvest time. Everyone would pull together to get the harvest in on time. From first light till dusk, Father and farm hands would be tending to their crops. Grace would stay on the farm tending to the needs of the farm yard. Whilst mother can be heard singing whilst going about her daily chores; For Autumn harvest prepares for the winters feast.
After all the work was done everyone would return home for evening super, and an evening relaxing in the parlour. Shortly after 8pm everyone would head off to bed. Tomorrow was another workday and although the harvest was done there was always more work to do.
Then it would be dawn again and the family would rise, tend to the farm. Yet this day was unlike the rest. This was the day of rest, everyone would put on their Sunday best, and stroll down to the village church. Here they said good-day to all including farm hands Keith and Will, and there better half's. Thi particularly Sunday was special, as it was the church harvest festival. Everyone brought something from their land and estates; the Vicar would bless it with a thankful prayer. Gladys would strike up the organ and everyone would sing a harvest hymn or two. The Vicar would share from the word of God, and gaurteed halfway through we'd hear farmer Norman in the back, grunt and snore.
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