Happy and sad - opened the beans my dad gave me

**imagine** · 04-11-2011, 02:30 PM

A few years before my dad died he gave me a 20 pound burlap bag of pinto beans. For no other reason the he wanted to give them to me. I remember the huge smile as he handed them over to me and passed on words of wisdom as he said "As long as you have beans you will never starve." They were beans in a burlap bag nothing else. I stored them in the bottom of the pantry. Every time I opened the pantry I would smile.

With people telling me that beans truly don't last forever like my dad said. And they had already being stored for about 8 years already. I decided to open them today.

It was like opening a present from my dad. It was wonderfully exciting. I felt so loved. I set a pot on to soak and bagged the rest in Ziploc bags 1 pound each. The full bag was wonderful to feel and smell. I had warm feelings of Dad.
But as the bag got lower and lower I started to miss him and I realized he will never give me another present again. That was the last one.

I wonder how I will feel when I do have to break that emergency bill (money) that my dad handed me way back when I was a new mother that I stashed away for an emergency like instructed. I hope that day never comes.

**Russ** · 04-11-2011, 02:33 PM

The beans will never really be gone. They will be a lasting memory.

**lwlynch** · 04-11-2011, 02:40 PM

Idea:
get a 5x7 frame
go into word doc and type the saying your father said (put it either at the top (oh probably about 1 inch down) pick a pretty font
print it out.
pour the beans all over the scanner and leave a spot so the saying will show at the top.
lay the word doc on top. lining up the saying then beans
copy and print
now you should have a sheet showing the saying and beans all over
then cut a hole out for a picture insert
insert pic and put in frame and you will forever have the beans..
kinda a good idea..

**imagine** · 04-11-2011, 02:42 PM

I also can't shake the feeling that moving the beans from the burlap bag to Ziploc freezer grade bags was a bad thing.

**imagine** · 04-11-2011, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Russ

The beans will never really be gone. They will be a lasting memory.

You can bet that I'm going to keep the burlap bag.

**shoiji** · 04-11-2011, 02:55 PM

No says you need to use all the beans. Save some with the burlap bag.

**IndigoMom** · 04-11-2011, 03:03 PM

He's still taking care of you, not just in the physical gifts he gave you - but in the lessons he taught you. Even though our paternal grandparents didn't have the oppertunity to teach us a lot about canning and gardening - I think of them often while I do it. Because they did give me the base of it, and the knowledge that it can be done is what carries me today

**Droppedonmyhead** · 04-11-2011, 04:17 PM

Sounds like opening the beans was bittersweet. Seeing, smelling and feeling the beans brought back warm memories of your Dad, but then the realization of opening the bag destroyed the gift. I'm sure your Dad wanted you to eat the beans and didn't want them to go bad on you.

But I understand. . .you are a sentimental person and little things like that mean the world to you. I could feel your heartbreak.

**Sophia** · 04-11-2011, 04:33 PM

Hugs that is so sweet. It wasn't the last present that he gave, he made you the person you are and that gift will be with you forever. TC

**savvy_sniper** · 04-11-2011, 04:44 PM

Very nice russ!

Originally Posted by russ

the beans will never really be gone. They will be a lasting memory.

**Judi Dial** · 04-11-2011, 04:47 PM

I don't know if they will, but try planting afew you haven't frozen? If they sprout/make plants,you can still have a continual gift from your Dad.

What a wonderful man he seems to have been. Good for you! So glad you've got those memories, they will never fade, go bad, or be empty....

Judi

**imagine** · 04-11-2011, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Judi Dial

I don't know if they will, but try planting afew you haven't frozen? If they sprout/make plants,you can still have a continual gift from your Dad.

What a wonderful man he seems to have been. Good for you! So glad you've got those memories, they will never fade, go bad, or be empty....

Judi

I haven't frozen any of them.

I think he said they were plantable/heirloom maybe. I wouldn't know how to do them though. I have a black thumb when it comes to plants.

**Brat** · 04-11-2011, 05:24 PM

put the bag and the saying that your dad told you with the beans on it like lwlynch said and frame it and put it in your kitchen..You will alway have a part of your dad with you always..I have my dad's cap in a glass jar...on the top shelf of my closet and I think of him everytime I open it..

**Dancing Lotus** · 04-11-2011, 06:38 PM

Aw thank you for sharing that . Fill a mason jar with some of the beans and stick a note it with the story. Never eat them and just know they are always there.