An encounter on an Amish Farm

As I was traveling the rural roads of Maryland, I drove past this hand painted sign.  Curiosity got the best of me.  I carefully made a U-turn on the narrow road and followed the arrow onto the farm property.

As I approached the home, many children came out of the barn and house at the same time.  The ages ranged from two to seventeen.  A woman with a baby in her arms and wearing a very soiled full apron also came outside and said, "Can I help you today?"  I introduced myself and shared my curiosity of the sign at the entrance of their driveway.

The oldest boy quickly re-entered the house and came out with a piece of paper in his hand. He handed it to me and with a confident smile said, "We are Amish. I write these menus myself!"

The woman yelled towards the large barn for her husband.  Within seconds he was walking towards the porch.  He was dressed in a white tee shirt and blue overalls.  He was sporting a full beard.  After our introduction, he asked if I wanted an inside view of his property.

He led me to the barn where they stored several buggies. He rustled in his front center pocket and pulled out a half smoked thin cigar. He struck a wooden match. As he spoke to me, he would pause and take another toke from the cigar and exhale loudly, bellowing sweet, scented smoke between us.

He shared with me how his farm supports his large family of ten.  His main source of income was chickens and their eggs.  There were several buildings completely filled with hundreds of cackling birds.

The property had patches of vegetation from corn to green beans.  As we walked around the property, he abruptly turned to me, "How much longer are you staying?"  I smiled and said, "You have been more than gracious.  Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule and family."  We walked back to an empty porch.  

I bought two homemade chicken pot pies. I also asked for a half gallon of homemade root beer. The seventeen-year-old returned with the root beer. We talked briefly as he explained his simple life of being homeschooled with no electricity, internet or cell phone. He seemed to be very content with his lifestyle. I shook his hand and thanked him for sharing. As I was driving away, alongside of me was a very young girl pulling a red wagon with a young boy in it. They both smiled and waved. I drove away with my thoughts racing and a sense of an adrenaline rush.

​That evening, as I was enjoying the chicken pot pie while washing it down with root beer, I smiled and said out loud, "I can’t wait to share my story!"