Where's the Really Exceptional Beef?
By Kristin Mackey | Contributing Editor
How Beef Brings Us Together
I n previous issues, I’ve written about the experience of beef and what it means to me. This time, however, has been the most meaningful of them all. Thanks to technology like Ancestry. com , many families have made con- nections. Ours is no exception. About a decade ago, my uncle Don and aunt Barb traveled to Scotland to learn more about our family heritage. There, they met “Aunt Jenny.” I’m still unsure of her exact relation, but she took their information, shared stories and revealed some fascinating facts about our lineage. Later, another family member, Gerard Gillespie, visited the same village and met the same Aunt Jenny. Thanks to her matchmaking – and the internet – Don and Gerard connected. Despite being continents apart, they began a modern-day pen pal relationship. Fortunately for the rest of us, they also connected via Facebook, allowing our extended family to stay in touch. Over the years, we got to know Gerard through his posts – never in person. He never missed a birthday, cheered on our accomplishments and laughed at our antics. We knew him as thoughtful, generous, and devoted to his family. Thanks to my 23-year-old nephew Ethan’s studies in London, I had a reason to cross the pond. Ethan, who is working on his master’s degree at University College London, is always game for an adventure. After finalizing my travel, I reached out to Gerard to see if, on a long shot, we could meet. To my surprise, he was thrilled. Even bet- ter, he and his lovely wife, Catherine, invited us to their home for Sunday Roast, an English tradition that has generally been celebrated following church services. We had a three-hour train ride ahead of us. This is when Ethan and I did our homework. We pieced together a family tree and discovered that Ge-
dear, only strengthening the fact that we were family. After supper, Gerard showed us heirlooms: our family tartan, old books and photos, and his inherited bagpipes. It was a gift to see these pieces of our history, but more so to experience the pride he had when he shared it all with us. On the way to the train, Gerard took us to visit his grandfather’s grave – my great-uncle. It was almost unimag- inable as we stood there able to reflect on the distance and time that had passed, and how this simple connection – centered around beef – had brought us together. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted more time to explore, to talk, to learn. I promised to return, and I encouraged them to visit the States. We hugged tightly and said goodbye. As the train pulled away, Ethan and I looked out the window to see Gerard and Catherine lovingly waving from the platform – a perfect farewell to a perfect day. This experience of beef wasn’t just about the meal. It was about family, connection and was an experience to write home about.
rard’s father and my grandmother were first cousins. When my great-grand- mother and her sister emigrated to the United States, Gerard’s grandfather went to Devon, England to become a gamekeeper. My grandmother never met that part of the family, but I had a sense she was guiding this journey. When we arrived, Ethan and I stepped off the train, and I walked right into the arms of my cousin, Gerard. In that moment, I knew he was family. The warmth of the welcome was over- whelming. As we drove through the picturesque seaside town, we were in awe. At their home, Catherine and her mother, Suzanne, greeted us just as warmly. In the kitchen, a beautifully prepared beef roast awaited us – ac- companied by an array of homemade side dishes. Despite the miles between us, it was clear that we shared a love of a good cut of beef. Gerard proudly described his preparation. Catherine, clearly a pro, had prepared much of the rest of the meal after church. It wasn’t just a roast – it was a family gathering. Over the meal, we laughed, cried and shared stories. We met their children via FaceTime and felt the love that filled this home. We talked about family, faith and the values we hold
Photo courtesy Ethan Geiger
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CALF News
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June | July 2025
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