Great Great Uncle Ernie Lives On

He was famous around Huron County for his good humor, his amazing harmonica playing, and his memorable laugh. Ernie Durnin, that was his name. He lived right up the road from me in a big white house. He loved animals, he loved farming, and he loved making maple syrup.

Ernie had a golden retriever dog, that he named Sam. Sam would go with him everywhere, even up to the diner for lunch. Whenever Ernie ordered a meal, he made sure to get a cheeseburger for Sam, who was always waiting in the truck. Sam was an extremely friendly dog, who never bit, and never jumped up on you. Ernie loved Sam with all his heart, and would always bring him to the jam sessions that the neighbors would put on. Whenever Ernie started playing his harmonica, Sam would stop yelping and just listen. I was very young when Sam was alive so I don't remember him that well.

The big white house was situated on a farm, where Ernie lived and worked for years. There are old photos of him back in the day, working out on the fields in an old tractor and an old plow. The most famous thing on his farm was his raspberry patch. People from all over the township would come to pick them, and Ernie would let them with no charge. It was actually a fun social gathering for all our neighbors. In the end, the raspberries always returned to Ernie, but in a different form. People who picked them baked pies, tarts, cookies, and squares. They were the best around because you knew they were from Ernie's farm.

There was an old shed way back in the bush behind the farm, which Ernie was in almost everyday. That shed was what he called his, "Maple Syrup Shack". He had the whole operation back there to make excellent quality maple syrup. I remember when I was a young kid, it would be a treat to go back there, and Ernie would take a great big spoon, dip it in the pot, and let us sip the syrup. It was so amazing, and sweet, and I always wanted more. But of course, Ernie being responsible, said to wait till it was finished. I never minded, because I knew within a week, that same syrup would be on my pancakes.

In October of 2005, Ernie passed away at an old age. He lived an amazing and fulfilling life and no one will ever forget him. Just recently however, we ran out of his maple syrup that we all loved so dearly. It was a grave reminder that he isn't with us anymore, and never will be. On a happier note, his old tractor went to my brother Marshall who adores it, and his old car went to me, which I drive around in our fields.

We ended up buying Ernie's farm, as we live right down the road and we rented it out a very kind lady who is an artist. She makes amazing paintings and gives us a few. The other day, me and mother went to visit her, and just as we were about to leave she said she has a painting for us. She went into the back room, grabbed a box and pulled out a canvas. She tore off the cover and there staring at us, was a picture of Uncle Ernie. It was so realistic that my mother started crying and couldn't look away. The detail was spectacular, and his face looks just like him. His smile depicts his laughing perfectly, and she drew his nice wavy hair perfectly.

We will definitely cherish that photo forever, and to do so we hung it up in our living room, right above our violins, which he loved so much. Now every time we go to watch TV, or play the violins, Ernie will always be there with us. He will now live on, as that painting immortalized him for us, and for everyone else that sees him.