When we were in Finland last October, we visited my mother-in-law, Kerttu's, rural home town Kangasniemi. Her grandparents owned a farm close by which was inhabited by her aunts for many years after their grandparents passed away. After the sole remaining aunt moved into a smaller, single level apartment in town, Kerttu's brother Veikko and his wife Lea inherited the property and currently maintain the farm house, outbuildings, gardens and surrounding woods.
Nobody lives there now and the house is practically untouched. Lea waters the house plants, keeps the place clean, and is slowly sorting through the estates contents and family heirlooms. After touring the house, Lea lead us down a muddy road to proudly show us a large burl on the side of a tree. She told us that when spring comes they will cut it down and use the burr to make bowls on a turning lathe. Veikko was busy cutting down birch trees into fire wood, some of which I imagine would be used to fuel their home stove and sauna in town.
Visiting this place, I felt the years of love and dedicated hard work from a family of 3 generations.
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