Epilogue: The Settlers
The six families stayed. More stayed the next year, and the next.
There were hardships. Rosalia lived two years in the camp housing with no running water, no bathroom facilities. The entire family caught the flu.
But she said a prayer of thanks each day when the school bus came to Harvest Valley Farm to pick up the children.
There was joy when she and Domingo made a down payment on a small house in town.
Domingo told me he was happy to settle down and become an Oregonian.
For me there was a feeling of satisfaction because our lives had come together.
How can I count the beauty of lasting friendship? There is no way.
It is a gentleness in my mind.
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Copyright 2012, Rolf Erickson
