I must have started a “first paragraph” at least four times before typing this sentence. But, now, I realize that the best way is not to provide any background or pretty “lead in” to the moment we met Ed, from Hidden Holler Farms. Plainly, trying for such an introduction would be out of sync with what occurred at the close of market one day, as follows:
THUD………………THUD………………THUD………..THUD……THUD…THUD…THUD…THUD-THUD-THUD-THUDTHUDTHUDTHUD – THUD!
And, then, BAM!
Ed’s voice boomed, “THESE ARE THE BEST BROWNIES I’VE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!”
Note, I am someone who happens to have a high “scare response.” So, as Ed’s pounding feet were hitting the ground with increasing speed and coming up from behind me, my eyes flew open and my body froze solidly, in place. I was not able to physically turn toward him until I heard the hollering about our deep chocolate brownies (and now I find myself wondering if this is why his farm is called Hidden Holler Farms…but I digress…). But, I barely had to turn at all because, by that moment, he was right there, in front of us, sharing how someone had given him a taste of one of our brownies and demanding to know where they were. We had sold out more than an hour earlier. All we could offer were our remaining samples and a promise to bring some for him next week. And so…we did.
This was our introduction to Ed, a down-to-earth farmer with extremely quality meat and eggs we have since had the opportunity to try. Ed, a man with a clean-cut appearance and tattoos running the length of both arms. Ed, a man who has seen much, if I had to guess. Anyone who has seen much either becomes hardened or softened, is my experience. Ed hugs everyone.
Over the weeks and months that have passed since our first THUD-THUD-THUD encounter of the man behind the enormous tower of eggs at market each week, we have shared brief exchanges, here and there. For this reason, it came as a shock when, upon mentioning our upcoming move, Ed declared, “I’ll help you. That’s what neighbors are for – when do you need help?” We may be great bakers but we are terrible liars…we could not deny the very real need for help over this move. In fact, we have others to write about – a whole harvest of friends who showed up and helped in a variety of ways. We could not have moved so smoothly without this unexpected windfall, but I digress…
Ed drove from more than an hour away to come and lift heavy stuff – really heavy stuff. He did this because he saw the opportunity to help and had the ability to do so. He made the time to help his neighbor. His farm is in a town of 400 people and that’s normal there. Just as that was normal where I was raised – normal for those who aren’t “city folk” – and normal for where we have just moved, further out, toward the county. We like normal people. People who aren’t trying to fit in but understand what it means to belong. There is a difference. And that difference is made by individual choices, daily.
We thank Ed and Hidden Holler Farms for the difference they have made at market and in our lives.
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