(Disclaimer: these memories are coming from 40 years ago so some of the details may not be exactly right. But for the most part these events are true.)
When I was 7 years old my Dad was laid of and had to go job hunting. My dad is a man of may skills and a hard and determined worker so it was not long before he had work again. But his new job was several hours away from where we currently lived so it meant we would be moving.
My parent decided to try their hand at a long time dream of my dad’s and build a small self sustaining farm. So, they bought 20 acres of property out in the middle of nowhere! And I am talking Wyoming desert nowhere.
When it was time for my dad to start work the sale of the property had not yet closed and we still had a few weeks of school left so my dad went on ahead of us. While he was there he bought a large mobile home and set it up on the property. He would send us letters with pictures he had drawn of the farm that would one day be living on the property and we could not wait to get there. Now, I was young so maybe I just did not understand when it was explained to me but truly I do not remember being told that the home we would be going to was so far out there was no power and no water. When we got there it was a bit of a shock to realize that we would be using an outhouse and going every couple of days to a natural spring with every bucket and barrel that we owned to fill with water. But if the whole truth is to be told, I loved it. As a child I did not have to worry about the stress it caused my parents. I did not even see it. For the first time we had space to run and play with freedom. At this time my parents already had 11 children and living on 20 acres was heaven to us.
My dad was working for the power company and they had promised him that they would bring the power lines out to our property promptly. I do not remember the details but I do remember my parents getting frustrated with the many delays. We ended up going through that first Wyoming winter with no power and no running water. But still, I loved it. We had a great big coal stove that kept us nice and warm (hot) all winter. And in some ways the snow made getting water easier. We had a couple of great big steal pots we would fill with snow and melt it on the coal stove. I still can remember the sound of the little bits of snow that were left on the outside as they melted and sizzled on the top of the hot stove. I even liked that sound too. We went that whole winter with oil lamps and the car battery that my dad would hook up to the TV so we could watch the holiday specials and lots of C batteries for my brothers boombox. But we were happy. As happy as that winter was I recall the thrill when the lights finally came on the following spring. My mother nearly cried. And man-o-man! What a spectacular show was made when the dynamite blasting of our well was happening. The first couple of blasts just brought a shower of dust and dirt. But then it was like Old Faithful right there in our yard. A geyser of water shot out of the ground way up into the air and came raining down on us. And when we could turn on a faucet and get water it was like a bran new idea, it seemed a little magical. I love those memories and I am so glad to have them.
Now I am a mother and with new eyes I can look back on those days with tender feelings for what my parents must have been going through. I do remember a few moments of frustration but mostly they were cheerful and did all they could to make life as comfortable and happy as they could in the circumstances. And for the most part I was oblivious to any real struggle. They have a few times, in talking over those days, tried to give an apology. I always tell them there is no need,
My children and I have been without hot water since June 1st. And although it is a far cry from being without running water or power it is still stressful as a mother. The time it takes to heat enough water so my children can bathe properly, I have three stinky boys, is tremendous! But our cook stove has not been in commission since June 1st ether. We have to heat our water in the microwave and on a hot plate. I have found myself many times wishing I had a great big coal stove and steal pot and there was lots of snow on the ground. My children have been amazing though. They have taken it all with courage and good humor. I hope one day they will look back and find that good things have been learned and memories that will make them smile.