As someone who lives in a town where agriculture (and berry picking especially) is literally down the street from me, this is an intriguing story…to think of young kids picking berries is a little strange! However I’m probably showing my age when I say that I think a lot of young folks–in my generation and others–would have been well served by going through this experience…

This is a good reminder that everyone is just folks, to coin a phrase. Everyone needs to treat others how they want to be treated. No one above or below anyone, and pulling together in a tough situation (or a difficult task) bonds people tightly. We need to remember that.

Thanks for the great story, and the great message about the importance of team building. I felt like I was walking beside you the whole way. This would make a great basis for a coming-of-age story, or YA novel.

Thanks for sharing.

Enjoyed this story immensely as my father was a strawberry farmer in Whatcom County and yes, I had to pick my quota of berries. All us local kids had a strong bond in school and when Junior High rolled around we immediately sought each other out. I love your stories about your childhood because you always mention places, names, stores and landmarks that I know.

Kay

My boyhood chums and I sang the four service songs as we hiked through the forest–“Off we go into the wild blue yonder. . .”

I don’t know if any other kids did that, but it came so natural to us that I’ve never even thought about it until now.

You’re an amazing storyteller. Thank you for sharing!

Thanks for your kind remarks. My mom spent several years of her early childhood in Marysville. My grandpa was a lumber inspector at the time. He would walk into a mill and calculate board footage in his head. He was quite the math wiz. I now live in sunny Utah and I don’t miss the Puget Sound rain, but I do miss the output–rivers, streams, lakes, etc.