The past weeks have found me once again sorting and purging. This time it was an upstairs closet getting blankets and pillows in order for a visit from our oldest son and his family. Tucked away in the corner were two boxes of small items and pictures, etc., from Dan’s mom some years ago. Things that brought back memories of our young years of marriage and life for the two of us side by side on the farm. It is a way of life out here in the country, and when animals are involved it brings a whole new dimension to daily tasks and challenges.
One of the treasures found was a piece of paper passed on to me from my mother-in-law entitled “ Ten Commandments For The Farm Wife”. No author was listed, but it reminded me of the many lessons that “Mom” (Rosemarie) taught me as I began life as a farmer’s wife. I did not grow up on the farm, but I quickly learned to be available to help wherever I could. It certainly meant being flexible because things could change in a matter of minutes. Sometimes those circumstances brought joy, and other times disappointment. Either way our faith was tested, and in the end, strengthened. Maybe you have some “farm blood” in your veins, and you can relate to the mental images written in these lines.
Ten Commandments For The Farm Wife
1. Thou shalt not sort cattle with your hands in your pockets. (Men and cows don’t like that.)
2. Thou shalt cook meals which can be served 30 minutes early or two hours late.
3. Thou shalt learn to keep farm records. ( “ When did we turn out the bull?” )
4. Thou shalt love the smell of new mown hay, fresh plowed earth, silage, and the stinging sensation of ammonia in the calf pen.
5. Thou shalt be inspired to see the sun rise and relieved to see it set.
6. Thou shalt learn to open gates, close gates, and guard gates.
7. Thou shalt thrill at the birth of a new calf, and the sight of a bright new tractor.
8. Thou shalt live closer to God with faith to exceed many city dwellers.
9. Thou shalt cherish meals together, long nights of waiting for the vet to arrive, and decisions of plowing up the new seeding.
10. Thou shalt be exalted at the brotherly hand on your shoulder and the precious words, “Thanks for helping.”
In my early days with Dan’s family, even before our marriage, I was amazed at how his mom could whip together a meal for extra guests at the table with almost no warning. She would send us to the basement shelves stocked with canned vegetables or fruit, or maybe to the garden to retrieve something waiting there. Or to the freezer to get some meat to quickly thaw. As we made our new life together, those lessons learned were helpful. Especially living many miles from town and the nearest grocery store.
In our case, when the words, “ The cows are out” were shouted from a glance out the window, it usually meant all bodies to the rescue. Even if it just meant standing near a gate or blocking some pathway to freedom, it was a joint venture to get the critters back to their rightful place inside the fences. And those gates….well just make sure they are closed and secure.
It has been a good life “out in the country”. A safe and spacious place to raise our family, and now a great place to welcome grandkids as they love to run and play and have fun together. This time of year I especially love to see the contrast of the green and black as the new plants thrive in the country fields. There are drawbacks of course, as in any way of life, but the blessings out weigh them most of the time.
As I close my thoughts this week, I wish you a wonderful celebration of our country’s independence on July 4th. Do take time to give thanks for our precious freedoms here in the United States of America. God Bless!
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