The Family Dirt

Secrets and scandals.  “We don’t talk about that.”  For some families, there are deep, dark secrets.  Things that no one wants to talk about.  Or things so intriguing, everyone wants to talk about them, but no one has the real truth.

A few years ago at our annual girl-cousin get-together, during our much-anticipated ritual gift exchange, two cousins were a bit anxious about sharing what they brought for each of us. Sisters Karen and Karel weren’t sure what we would all think of their “gifts.” They sheepishly pulled out small, sealed glass jars for each of us. What was inside? Dirt. But not just any dirt. Good, rich, black soil.

Ok, still a bit odd.  Then the story spilled out.  A silly story of how they drove on a gravel road, pulled into a narrow  lane, got out of the car and filled eight little jars with dirt.  Special dirt.  From the farm where our grandfather, Carl Richard Berg, an immigrant from Sweden, farmed the fertile ground.  Where 12 children were loved and raised.  Where memories abound of working hard, being poor, but wealthy behind measure in love, family, and dedication.  The tears in each cousin’s eyes were proof this gift was from the heart.

Vine #4 budding in the first week after planting. 2016

Two years ago as we were prepping and tilling and fertilizing our not-so-fertile soil, getting ready to plant the first 200 vines to start Oscar Carl Vineyard, that special jar of dirt came to my mind.  I knew right where it was — and it would be the perfect addition to the blessing our pastor would be giving on planting day. What followed seemed like a miracle: the first vine to sprout leaves was vine #4, exactly where Pastor Zirpel had sprinkled that special soil during the blessing of the original Oscar Carl Vineyard.

This year, as we prepared for the next phase of the vineyard, I got a text from my cousin, Jill.  “Jaci and I want to give you our dirt.”  Tears came to my eyes as I shared with Roy, “They want to give us their dirt!!”

Cousins Jill & Jaci sprinkling dirt from the Berg family farm during the Oscar Carl Vineyard blessing by Pastor David Zirpel.

On May 5, 2018, during Pastor Zirpel’s vineyard blessing, Jill and Jaci sprinkled the contents of their glass jars into freshly drilled holes for vines #3 and #4.

While the family farm is no longer part of the family, the “family dirt” will forever be a part of Oscar Carl Vineyard.  Planted with love and caring, and a little bit of extra dirt.  From the heart.