Some people just don’t understand…
I have loved Laura Ingalls Wilder since I was eleven and my teacher started reading her books to our class. I was hooked. I read the Little House books over and over and over again. Still do. When I finished the books, I wanted to know more. Wanted to find out what happened next. Laura, her family and her life have always been a big part of my life. Even when my life was going through turmoil and I had to put her aside for awhile, she was always there. In my heart. When things settled down, she came back to stay. In the last few years, she has been there for me when I’ve had to deal with children becoming adults and my empty nest. And then again for the adjustment when they both showed up again. I love ya, kids, really I do! 
Most people in my real life just don’t understand my love and admiration for her. I mean, my family does. At least I think they do. My husband has been very indulgent. He has traveled to four of her homesites with me. He accompanied me to Minneapolis last year and sat through the musical. He never complains (well, not much) when I find something “Laura” that I just HAVE to have. I’m sure my daughter gets it. She was lucky enough to go to Rocky Ridge with us. She read the books, but just doesn’t share that love and enthusiasm that I hold in my heart. I’ve learned to get over the disappointment. My son — well, he’s more like “whatever.” He enjoyed Farmer Boy when I read it to him. I’ll assume he knows who she is. She’s just always been there, a part of our lives. Especially now that she’s taken over the living room.
So, when I talk about people not understanding, I really mean friends and some family members. They think I’m like — I don’t know — a fluffy fan of the tv show. I’ve tried to explain that it’s nothing to do with the tv show (I’m okay with the show), that it’s the author, the pioneer woman, the wife and mother. It’s Laura!
I was at a wedding the other night and had my camera. I’m not good about deleting pictures from my camera, so they go back to the trip my husband and I took a little over a year ago. We were headed to the Little House musical in Minneapolis and also went to three of her homesites. A friend is looking at my photos on my camera, and she just kind of shakes her head a little. She doesn’t understand. This same friend, many years ago, wanted me to sell her my set of Little House books to her, for her daughter! Are you kidding? Never!
That initiated a conversation with my sister-in-law, who was seated next to me. I was trying to explain to her (for the umpteenth time) what it all means. I told her about the Laurapalooza next year. I said to her, “You’ll get it if you go to this website, Beyond Little House.” She said, “Oh, I just don’t do those things.” She doesn’t get it. She’ll never get it because she doesn’t want to get it.
I love Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author and woman. I love the Little House books. I love her other writings too. I love the life she lived, her family, the strength, the love that they all shared. I strive to learn more about her. I’m tired of trying to make people understand, but I’ll never stop trying…
And in the meantime, I come here. Where people understand. Where they get it.
Am I the only one surrounded by people who just don’t get it? Or do you have that problem too? Share your experiences here — consider it our online support group meeting.
Jeepers, Laura,
I could have written your essay. Same: teacher, husband, kids, friends. I do take a bit of teasing over my passion/obsession with all things Laura, but most of my friends admire my ability to have something to be passionate about. They are still searching.
Funny Hubby story:
We would occasionally visit San Fransicso, for fun and business, and on one trip, I handed my
husband an address, 1019 Vallejo St, and asked if we might try to find it. We took off, and after much hunting, we parked, walked and found it. As we sat outside it, admiring the panoramic view of the skyline, bay and bridges, he turned to me and inquired, “What is this place and why are we here?”
It never occured to him to ask why I wanted to find this place, he just saw it as a challenge.
I recently visited The Mansfield Museum, with an aquaintence who claimed to have never read the books, or watched the TV show. She knew Laura’s name and that was about it. This was a 70 year old woman who was willing to drive 6 hours round trip to take me on a pilgrimage to a place I had been 3 times before. She was such a good sport, and never hurried me, paid attention in the tour, asked questions, and read everything on display. I was very grateful that she was willing to accomodate my interest.
So yes, there are people out there who “get it”. But even if they don’t, it still gives
us a lot of pleasure and comfort.
Someome asked me if I ever get tired of presenting my “Laura” program. I could answer in a word. “Never!”
The interest we share is something no one can take away from us!
I get it. I’ve loved the series since my parents gave it to me for Christmas in 1974. I read the whole set by New Year’s Day and I have not quit reading them since. I still have my original set and they are untouchable…on a shelf and not to be bothered. I have newer copies that I read over and over.
My husband and three sons put up with me. We’ve been to Keystone, De Smet, and Walnut Grove. I fell in love with the scenery and the possibilities of the places, especially the prairie in South Dakota. My family slept late at the hotel and I went to the sites by myself, but that was fine. I could drink it all in and not feel like I had to rush in order to please anyone else.
I say that all of us who are Laura fans are gifted with the ability of great imagination. We can envision what it must have been like for her and her family so, that ability takes a pioneer story or a visit to a home site and transports it to something altogether wonderful.
No, most people don’t understand us, but that’s ok. Laura was pretty selective with who she chose as friends, and a small circle of people you like is much better than a huge group of people to whom you can’t relate.
As I sit to write this I am struggling to find just the right word to describe my lifelong interest in Laura Ingalls Wilder. It goes beyond fandom. I am not really a scholar although I am always on the lookout for anything new about Laura. I am not a researcher and interested isn’t a strong enough word. I suppose I am a student of Laura Ingalls Wilder as I seek to learn all that I can learn about her life and works and I endeavor to preserve her legacy by sharing with others.
Whatever you may call it, my husband and children have always seemed to understand and support my interest in Laura. They have traveled with me to homesites. They know that when we go to Missouri, we have to make a side trip to Mansfield on our way to Branson. My husband has toted my crate to many presentations and has had to sit through them as well. I am fortunate that he is so understanding and supportive.
The rest of my extended family is bemused by my interest in Laura. I don’t think they really know why I am so interested in her. I agree with ramblingirl. We are gifted with the ability of great imagination so that we can feel what Laura felt and what life was like for her.
Oh no, you’re not alone. I have the same deep love and interest that goes beyond the books and TV show.
My husband tolerates it; in 2005 I made my first and only (thus far) visit to a homesite when we went to De Smet, SD during pagent days. We don’t have children, so it was just the two of us…I’m sure he felt silly doing things he thought were more suited for kids and I could tell he was keeping his rolled eyes and exasperated sighs to himself as he patiently indulged me. Meanwhile, I was on the verge of tears the entire trip, so moved was I to actually BE THERE (I’m actually tearing up right now just remembering)! On the 8 hour drive there I begged him to read the last few chapters of By The Shores of Silver Lake, just so he could have some kind of frame of reference for some of the sites we’d be seeing and their significance to the legacy…now that he did sigh and roll his eyes at, lol, but he did it just for me.
When we returned from the trip I was so excited to share the experience with everyone; I brought my photos and pamphlets and paraphenalia to work with me to show my co-workers. They patiently – and quietly – looked at them, then asked me, “So, what else did you do while you were there?” When I said “nothing,” they were confused and looked at me like I was a freak….they couldn’t believe we’d make a trip to South Dakota for the sole purpose of going to a LIW homesite. Sigh.
So, I keep my LIW enthusiasm to myself, like my special little secret, and revel in the fact that I know there’s others like me that can unite online and indulge our passion for it all.
I, too, have loved the little house books since receiving them for my birthday in 1974. I have my original books in the yellow covers but they are not touched as they are falling apart from being read over and over again! I am blessed to be a teacher of 8 and 9 years olds so I use the little house books as my read-alouds. Children of this age love the books and are quickly hooked. My students totally “get it” and enjoy my fascination with the books and the life of Laura. Parents, on the other hand, don’t always join in the enthusiasm. One year, a student told me she had the perfect Christmas gift picked out for me but her mom wouldn’t let her buy it as the mom thought it not something a teacher would like. My student wanted to buy a model or kit of somekind of a covered wagon! This is one time I wish parents would really listen to their child. I can do without yet another “teacher” Christmas tree ornament.