05/11/2025
This photo was taken at the close of the 2024 blueberry season. Pictured are my wife and me, Emery and Selena Abshier, my parents, Roy and Lou Abshier, and my cousins, Peek and Linda Hames. At the time we had no idea it would be the last moment the six of us would share together on this Earth.
It feels especially meaningful that the photo was taken at Abshier Blueberry Farm—-a place we all poured our hearts into building and where we created countless memories over the last 15 years. We lost my dad at the end of last season, and Peek passed away at the beginning of this one. Their dedication and hard work were foundational to everything this farm has become. Saying I missed them doesn’t come close to catching the feeling.
It’s funny how life comes full circle. Over the years many of you have shared stories of love ones who have passed on, and how coming here to pick blueberries together was a special tradition. Even after they were gone, you return, walking your favorite rows and picking berries, felling their presence beside you. Now, I truly know what that means.
Thanks to our Christian faith, we hold onto the promise that we’ll all be reunited one day. Until then, we’ll start preparing for next season and continuing a tradition—a tradition we’re grateful to share with all of you. Thank you for all who visited our farm this season. I’ll check next week and see if we have enough fruit to open up again for a day or two. If not, we will see you next year!
