Don’t let the rhythm of daily farm life overshadow its inherent magic. It’s in those fleeting, glittery moments that the true heart of farming reveals itself: the fierce determination of a pint-sized hand learning to bottle-feed a wobbly calf, the quiet pride of an 8-year-old mastering calf watering solo, or the powerful legacy unfolding as a husband teaches his 12-year-old son to shift gears in the old John Deere 4020. I still smile remembering his older sister, driving like a boss across wheat fields, backing a truck and trailer between two semis with effortless grace — a daughter who would go on to haul cull cattle, plow fields, run chopper box wagons, rebuild a field cultivator and manage herd health. These aren’t just chores; they’re the threads of a life beautifully woven, demanding we keep our eyes and hearts open to let that fairy dust settle.
I understand all too well that farming is also a relentless test of patience. We’ve all weathered those years: the endless complaints about chores, the heartbreaking wave of pneumonia through the calves, the milk checks that barely cover expenses, making it difficult to dream for the future against a tide of uncertainty. It’s during these darkest times, however, that the most profound light can be found.
My proof arrived in July 2019, when an overnight barn fire consumed our heifer barn and commodity shed. Truthfully, seeing the flames and the developing nightmare dropped me to my knees. But witnessing the younger generation grow up overnight, their determination to help persevere was indescribable, reminding us why we do what we do.
The days and weeks that followed, our farm shifted into auto-mode, working unimaginable hours, checking heifers at remote locations with kids in tow. It was in those moments, the children’s excitement over new farm pups after chores, a spontaneous game of pickup with sticks and an old ball by a corn crib, that we found our fuel. These small, glittery moments weren’t just distractions; they were the anchors that pulled us through, reminding my husband and me of our way. When times are tough, look at the breathtaking landscape your farm provides. In its vastness and enduring beauty, you can find a profound sense of purpose and a guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
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