People are people and there is beauty in both the likeness and individuality. I am grateful to call this community friend.
To many, the Amish people are novel and foreign. In a fast-paced world in which we deny ourselves very little, those who limit themselves and live slowly are just that. However, to me and my family they are just normal folks. Friends.
If you visit our craftsmen, you will find their shop right next to their home. You find the family working together with the little children, who are riding in and out of the shop on their little scooters. You will hear kind English when you are speaking to them and Pennsylvania Dutch whispered when they are speaking of private matters. Work generally starts at sun up and the day ends by 4pm with time to do chores around the house and time to prepare for the family dinner. Most will read their Bible together before bed and lay down to sleep before the day begins again.
The children often attend formal schooling until early high school and then enter a trade with their family. Twenty years ago when I was just a little kid riding in my dad’s truck, I would meet young boys sweeping and playing at the shop after school. Many of those young boys now own a shop of their own. I love this culture of continuing traditions but allowing the children to grow into their own passions. Thanks Dad.
Standards are set by the local Church and the deacons, so you will find different standards throughout the communities on things like phones, electricity and modes of transportation. Something I love about our shop is that there is always a hand involved. Though there is machinery, all of our products are made one at a time with an expert hand guiding the machine, sanding, finishing or assembling. Every piece is unique.
People are people and there is beauty in both the likeness and individuality. I am grateful to call this community friend. We are not looking to take the humanity out of our process. In fact we are trying to fit more in. Every purchase from H.H. Boogie supports not just a business, but families directly. They are grateful and so are we. Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your story.
With love,
Jeremy Kester