Sweet Corn
Introduction
Family gatherings, reunions, and picnics are traditions or joyful singular events that bring us together. We put in much effort, planning, and traveling for a few hours or days of connection and celebration. Many traditions mark our family reunions, which are all too infrequent now due to proximity. The usual water balloon and egg tosses, counting the pieces, and winning a candy jar are among them.
Sweet corn has become a symbol of these cherished moments for our family, especially during our reunions. From young children discovering the taste of freshly picked corn to the older generation reminiscing about past gatherings, sweet corn connects us through its simple yet profound presence. It is cyclical and continually grows in season. It can be depended upon to appear just when you need it. You can find it off-season if you want that memory or connection during cold winter. It reminds us always of our family bonds.
The Obsession with Sweet Corn
Weeks before our recent family reunion, my husband, Gary, brought home from a business trip to Wisconsin sweet corn. He was eager to introduce our young grandson to the taste, hoping he would develop a lifelong passion for the food. As the reunion approached, he meticulously planned our corn supply. He tried a few and settled on his favorite farm stand producing corn that appealed to his taste buds. We debated how to serve it – grilled or boiled – and ultimately decided on cooking and cutting it up for easy grabbing. I did think he was going overboard as there was much to plan and do to prepare for our upcoming, long-awaited family picnic other than sweet corn.
Memories of Fred and Esther
Amidst these preparations, I was reminded of Gary's parents, Fred and Esther. Their dedication to family reunions set a tradition we continue to try to honor today when we do get together. Esther would call on January 2nd every year to ensure the local park was reserved for our gathering. Later, at a family member's fishing retreat, corn on the grill became a highlight of these events. Relatives on the leadership committee would meet beginning in January to go over the finances, plan the modest dues increase, assign the board members to plan the games, give a blessing and remembrances, or decide on the menu.
A Gathering of Generations
These reunions were a tapestry of our family's history, where great-grandma, her siblings, and cousins gathered. This generation, born in the late 1800s, had so much to tell us about their robust immigration adventures, riding in an automobile for the first time, surviving harsh weather in their farming communities, and celebrating the harvest. Prizes were given for the oldest attendee, the farthest traveled, and the youngest, creating a fun and inclusive atmosphere. While the recipients of these prizes changed over the years, the joy and sense of connection remained constant.
Learning from the Past
These gatherings taught us about our family's history, farming, and the hardships and love that bound us together. Sweet corn, in its humble way, stood at the center of these memories. It was not just food; it was a symbol of the resilience and warmth that defined our family. It was a tradition that invoked a feeling of family sustenance and love on which we all depended. Sadly, we would have video-recorded some of these events if we had the technology. The memories of their actual stories would have been saved for future generations.
Sweet Corn for Sweet Memories
Today, as we prepare to host our reunion, sweet corn is an homage to Gary and his sister Karen's parents, Fred and Esther. Their legacy lives on through these smaller family gatherings. Their hats prominently in our home, hanging on an antique mirror from their house, remind us of the foundation they built. They are neither coming nor going; they are just always here. Each kernel of corn and story we share is a tribute to the love and dedication they instilled in our family.
Conclusion
As we come together, from the youngest members under four to college-bound kids and young adults starting their lives to loving cousines and new parents and the older generation, sweet corn binds us in a celebration of family and tradition. It's a reminder that while times change, the essence of family and the joy of sharing a meal remain timeless.
It also reminds us of the importance of finding a way to preserve the stories before we cannot gain access to them and they are forgotten. A future grandchild, great-grandchild, or family member may not read the stories or watch the videos often, yet a seed will be planted when they do. They will internalize I came from a loving family and that my great-grandfather or grandmother excelled in carpentry, farming entrepreneurship, or checkers. They can greet them on typical grand when they both are twenty, forty or sixty. They will think I am connected to something and someone bigger than myself. Sweet corn is a symbol of our family love; what is yours?