Farmland, Part 2: Tradition

As you recall, last week Luke and I took a little date night to see the documentary "Farmland." The documentary filled me with a sense of pride, ownership, and love that I had not felt for our farm in a long time. Why did it take a documentary about people I do not know to restore those feelings in me? Why did I lose my pride in the farm? How did this come about?

I believe the reason this all occurred was because of loneliness. Farming requires countless hours spent in the fields, in the greenhouses, in the wash shack. Luke works incredible hours. It means, for the greater part of our marriage, I have spent a lot of time alone. In the past, I would join Luke in the fields - bring him a beer and chat as the sun set around us. During the school year, I was surrounded in my own immense workload, and so times when I had to pick peppers until sunset were frustrating, but also meant time together.  I could be in the fields with Luke, or chat in the basement while he watered sprouts; it wasn't as lonely, it didn't seem so separated.

The factor that changed this year was Henry. Henry is my world, he is everything. He is my greatest blessing, my heart completed. But as far as parenting the first year, there is not a lot of give and take. Rather, it is one great give-a-thon. And I love it. But, it has caused me to be a lot more home-bound than I ever have been before. I am a social butterfly - I love to be with other people, I like to conversate and share. For me, to be tied to my home, has been difficult. This, combined with one of the worst winters, followed by one of the worst springs that I can recall, has meant that I spend a great amount of time inside with Henry, while Luke works outside. I have great conversations with Henry, but they are pretty one sided. And so I have become lonely - lonely and longing for more quality time with Luke. And this loneliness has caused me to hold a grudge against the farm. But I cannot continue having that sentiment, because our farm is truly something to treasure and love.

Farmland helped remind me that I need to take pride in our life. I wrote in my last post about the beauty of the farm, how wonderful of a place it will be to raise our children. Another great principal that "Farmland" reminded me of was tradition. That farms carry with them a great deal of familial tradition. I was reminded of that great essence of tradition today on our farm.

Luke started the produce portion of our farm, but Luke's father and grandfather started a Christmas tree farm many years ago. A farm that has provided thousands of children with smiles as they have awoken to their presents appear on Christmas morning. A farm that has allowed hundreds of families to continue their holiday tradition.

Christmas tree farms are a lot of work. The work varies throughout the year: grinding stumps in the spring, planting new seedlings, fertilizing, picking pine cones, shearing trees, and finally, preparing to give the trees their home for the holiday. Today, I was reminded of the great familial tradition of farms. Today, Luke's grandfather, grandmother, father, and Luke planted the seedlings that in 6-8 years will be lit up with both lights and with smiles on Christmas morning. Luke's mom was watching Henry while I worked, so we both arrived to the farm after the planting was already done. But, then the greatest part of the tradition occurred.

Luke's grandparents, parents, Luke and I gathered in the front yard of his grandparents. We sat on the chairs, watching the cars driving bar. We talked casually, we reflected on our days. Old-fashioneds or beers in our hands, we sat; men to the left and women on the right. Tobshu panting eagerly, playing more fetch than he had in months. And, this year, our greatest new addition - Henry, crawling on the ground, walking along the wagon, showing off his near-readiness to take his own first steps without anyone or anything helping. I sat there, listening to and partaking in the conversation, but also thinking about what a great tradition we have on our farm. A tradition that we get to share with each other, a tradition that we get to share with Henry. Farms are a beautiful place to raise a family, they are also rooted in beautiful tradition. And for that, I am also grateful.