AMISH CONVERSATION

We spoke with an Amish father of 8 yesterday at the train station in Chicago. His wife and their 3 younger children were traveling with them to Mexico, where one of their daughters is teaching. We joked amiably that they were rather like "reverse migrants,." going from the USA into Mexico. He farms a 57 acre spread in Indiana from which they gather and can their food; but they "still shop;".as noted by his kids' footwear. He is a gray-bearded, productive, 52-year old, but looks to be somewhat substantially older. "Monroe's" main business is home construction, in which two married sons work along with him and others. I was very enriched by our conversation. He said he was too! He was the first Amish person to whom I ever spoken, as best I can recall. He is a speaker of high German, (where he traces his descent), Amish and English. A spirit of love and familial sharing was observable in their interactions.