Finding Laura

I thought about texting Laura when I was ten minutes out.  Laura would be waiting, perhaps on the white porch above the creek or maybe in her little library… or probably in her tiny kitchen next to the pale turquoise cast iron cookstove.  

 I was on a trek across the country, but I wanted to stop and visit Laura Ingalls Wilder first. Most girls my age know her. 

Laura Ingalls Wilder is best known as the author of the children’s Little House book series. They were published between 1932 and 1943 and were based on her childhood as a settler and pioneer.

Long before TV made Little House popular, I read  Laura’s books.                                

In secluded library corners,  I flew away on the wings of Laura‘s imagery. 

I climbed into covered wagons. I looked across the prairie grass.

I watched Laura live a fearless life in a world full of fearful things. 

Laura Ingalls Wilder was truly amazing.

I parked on a gravel drive by her final home in Mansfield, Missouri. Missouri is where Laura became a professional writer.  Her books were published when she was in her 80s.

Laura lived a simple, humble life. For most of her life, she made a living  from scratch in this home she and Almanzo built.

In Mansfield, Laura raised her chickens and wrote her column for the Missouri Ruralist, “As a Farm Woman Thinks.”

People may think I’m a bit silly to be so enamored with Laura. I even perform as Laura at local libraries.

I dress in gingham, hair piled high and sun bonnet dangling from ribbons (Laura didn’t like to wear her bonnet) I read excerpts from the Little House books and always stop reading at the exciting part.

“What happens next?” The students ask. I tell them they have to read the book. 

Why be Laura ? 

More than anything,  I want students to know they can solve problems with determination, knowledge, faith and pioneer ingenuity. 

I’d like adults to know the same.

I’m short, like Laura. Like Laura, I was taught by my father and mother not to give up. I was taught to clean up after myself and to leave things better than I found them.

There’s a lot to be learned from Laura and my parents. They’d tell us to figure out how to fix things…and then they’d tell us to just do it. No complaining.

Remember: No complaining.

Laura would tell us not to be afraid or waste time feeling sorry for ourselves.

Thanks, Laura, for reminding me not to lose precious time focusing on trivial stuff.

I came to this house to find Laura, but she found me long ago. She took this little girl’s hand and led her on a fearless journey.

This old gal has decided to take Laura’s hand, once again.

I waved goodbye to Rocky Ridge Farm, but I didn’t leave Laura behind. 

Stay tuned

for more Little House Lessons.