What do you think Emily and her children's lives were like living on the prairie? And, especially, what do you think life was like for Gabriel?

After Emily's story ends, her granddaughter makes an entry in her diary that gives some clues to what happened to Emily and the children. What do you think their lives were like living on the prairie? What, especially, do you think life was like for Gabriel as a cattle rancher when there were likely very few others who looked like him?

This part of the story is one of the reasons I'd give this book such an excellent review - I'd read the story of Emily and the children's lives on the prairie. As a white person of privilege who is working harder and harder to be a better ally every day, I believe any person who is perceived as "different" in the way they look, talk, or act has a more challenging time when they are in the minority. Therefore, I'm sure Gabriel's life was not without challenges. However, Gabriel was free, with people who loved him, and hopefully with people who respected him as an equal - or at least tried to in as much as their societal contexts were able to allow them to do so.

I just saw a story about a black cattle rancher (modern day) who was inspired by a photo he had seen of a historic group of black cattle ranchers. It was a quick passing glance at an article rather than a deep read but I thought of Gabriel when I read that.

That's so interesting about the modern day cattle rancher being inspired by people that came before him.

I think it would make all the difference if you had a support system around you back then, especially being someone of color. As you point out, because of this I would assume it would make a huge difference for Gabriel. Without that, I'm sure it would have been a totally different experience for him.

I think just surviving on the prairie had a lot of challenges - let alone to do it as a single woman with children. Life would have been very difficult for Gabriel and the entire family. There is still a lot of prejudice toward families of mixed race today. Even though Gabriel was free, I'm sure many people would have been very unaccepting.

Elise - that's so true! Having to run a property as a single woman with children back then would have been an incredible challenge. They would be a very different type of family for the time period, being mixed race and an unmarried woman!

I imagine their life was hard. However, they had each other and none of them were afraid of hard work. Personally, I would have loved for the book to continue the story with what happened to that "family." We did get a glimpse, but I wanted more.
I feel Gabriel had some difficulties with being a black child, but because Emily loved him, he was able to handle what was thrown at him. Emily was a very brave woman. She took care of the children in her "family."

I think their lives were pretty tough, but they were happy. They were together and they wanted to be together in the prairie.

I like to think of them in a "little house on the prairie" setting with wide open spaces and lots of love. It was hard work but Emily was use to that and Gabriel was old enough to be helpful. I think all three children had a very strong mother in Emily and because of her they were able to have better lives of their own.

With all that everyone of them had been through having their own home would be like a dream come true.
Yes I imagine that it was challenging, different and new. You could be considered a plus from a life of hiding, cold, no food and being rejected. It is amazing that Gabriel was a part of this wonderful misfit family, lovingly using that word. The wonder in how the universe filled their needs in the end.