Image by Monsterkoi from Pixabay
by Carie Moore
Life is full of unexpected moments, twists, and turns. Some of us have difficulty handling changes that weren’t in our schedule, and some of us fly through life like a feather in the wind. There is a happy medium, but those people are rare and should be appreciated!
Children can be a major hiccup to a schedule. So can farming. There is no “exact day” hay will be cut, crops need to be harvested, or animals will give birth. I’ve learned to not get upset or disappointed when others need to go (unless it something really important).
I’m still working on my response, however, when MY schedule gets upended. As women, we often understand the importance and obligation a little more when it comes to others. We all need to see the importance of people and relationships in life. It’s a hard pill to swallow sometimes. If it’s not going to rain and your son really wants you to come to something at school or camp, you have to align your priorities very quickly. A child, a parent, a friend, may really need you, especially with many of the mental issues families in ag are facing today. Just being there for the little things can make a big difference.
As an advocate for agriculture, I’ve heard to always find your why. Many advocates say the reason they do what they do is for their children, a future for them, and our families (generational reasons). Farming is a business, so we hear about the parents that miss family events and chase the dollar, sometimes we are no different in farming. We are fortunate that we can have field meals and tractor rides, and try to catch up on that quality time, because it is important. We also have to stop and think about the things that aren’t important to us but mean the world to someone else.
The weight of bad crop prices, bills, being away from family, trying not to lose what you’ve worked so hard for, we think about how we are letting people down. Instead of just thinking you are, ask them if you would be letting them down if you quit, if it meant less stress and more time. Find other options together if you’re in it together. So often, we feel the weight of the world on our shoulders, but it is us who have put it there.
Value relationships with neighbors, family, friends, church members, and local businesses. We all have things that are “unplanned” in life and we all need someone. You may be the one needing the attention, or you just may be the one someone needs attention from. Sometimes we have to stop and look AT THE WHY to remind us why it is our why.
Some days an interruption maybe hard, but there is more to it. We need to see further to understand, and some days the interruption looks like vacuuming out a bin of barley before it rains so you can get the trucks in and out!
