David and Jean McKeen ( Grampa and Grammie) moved up from southern Maine with 5 kids , one on the way and Grampa's parents. Leaving behind but not forgetting the memories, friends and the precious baby (Douglas) they had lost 11 years prior.
The family had purchased the little farm on the hill that had a barn and a farmhouse as well as the old farmhouse at the bottom of the hill for Great Gramp and Grammie to live in.
May 11th 1973 , the family made the trip to move into their new forever home as well as welcome the newest member of the family! That's right. Grammie gave birth to a baby girl on the same day they moved in. Quite the eventful day!
The family of 8 began their life here in Albion and became a well respected farming family in the area. Grampa David was a trustworthy,faithful,godly, hardworking man. He instilled those traits into his children; Dave, Davene, Dan, Darrell, Dennis(Dad) and Dawn.
Year after year Grampa worked alongside his wife and kids to make ends meet. They raised up a nice herd of dairy cattle, harvested crops off the acres of land they had. They were stewards of the land.
They did it as a family.
7 years after moving to Albion, Grampa David lost his battle with cancer at the age of 42 in September of 1980. Leaving the farm in the hands of his wife and children. Not only did Grammie have 6 kids to raise on her own, she had a dairy farm to run.She also went back to school and graduated high school with her son Darrell. All while managing the farm and family. Talk about the weight of the world on your shoulders. Thankfully, the boys were old enough to handle most of the work.
Grammie jumped in and became the manager of it all. The four boys took over and farmed on just like their father had taught them.
The year following their fathers death, Grammie and the kids hosted Maine Farm Days at the farm. Something Grampa David always wanted to do but never got the chance to. This was a chance for the locals as well as the surrounding farming communities to witness how much hard work, blood, sweat and tears the McKeen family had put in before and after the loss of Grampa David.
As time went on, the boys grew up and started families of their own and would eventually move on with their lives. The girls did the same after going to school.
In the end,years later it came down to Dennis. Dad. He would be the one who stayed and carried on his fathers legacy. But he wouldn't do it alone.
On November 7th 1987 he married the preachers daughter from Skowhegan. Becky Turner. And yes, if you're wondering if farmers get honeymoons, they do! Although, Dad cut theirs short because...well, hunting season! Don't worry, Mom forgave him.
On August 16th,1988 they had their first born son, Ryan James.
A year later, they decided to move to Maryland for a change of scenery- try something new. Everyone needs to find their own way. Dad wanted to know what it was like off the farm on the hill in Albion Maine. So, they packed up and headed for Maryland. Leaving the farm in the hands of his older brothers, Dave and Dan.
Dad worked for a farmer for 5 months when he got the call from home. It was Grammie. She was calling to tell him that his oldest brother Dave was leaving the farm and they needed his help. She asked if he would come home. Dad knew this was what God wanted him to do so, they did.
Back on the farm just a few months, July 24th 1990, Kyle Louis was born. What a great way to start a farming family. Two boys who could work alongside their Dad.
Less than two years later on January 31st 1992, Mom was 100% sure she was having a baby girl.
"Another Boy!" exclaimed the doctor. Let's just say Mom was...less than impressed. But only for a moment. Little did she know that Tyler David would grow up to be a sweet little Momma's boy who gave the best hugs and had the biggest heart. "That's it. I'm done." she said to Dad. She was finished having kids. She sold all of her baby things because that was IT.
Guess what? God had different plans. Dad also did a bit of convincing ;)
Four years later on March 11th 1996 mom FINALLY got her baby girl. Lynsey Rachel.
"It's a girl....with RED HAIR!" Wait, WHAT??? Yep! Sure enough, Great Grampa McKeen's red hair finally made it through the blood line and landed on ME. And with that, our family was complete.
God gave Dad 3 boys to help him on the farm. And after 3 boys, God gave me to Mom because He knew she needed it! :) Actually, she tells people "God gave me 3 boys because He knew I wouldn't have been able to handle more than one girl"
I try not to take offense to that. ;)
And so, that's the short version of how it all started. I can't wait to tell you how it continues!
Awesome Lynsey! Really enjoyed reading this and I love your family!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! 💜💜
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