We have heroes among us. I rely on them every day. I always say, “it takes a village” when someone asks me how I keep up my vast land and homestead. My late husband was the farmer; the country boy. I am the girl who thought she lived in the country growing up because my neighborhood was a mile from town. I love many things about my home, but I do need help and I can call on people when I have things that I know I can’t do by myself (or at all). Rob, Kurt, Tim, Ryan, Denny, Don, Darin, Randy, John, Joe, Jim, Keith, Mike, Lalit, Wyatt, Kerry, Eric, Lee, Pat, Scott and Simon are just some of the men that I am incredibly grateful for. If I need something fixed or taken care of, I can call them and they will help me.
Of course, I have many women in my life who are helpful to me, but I wanted to highlight these men since Father’s Day is coming up. This is a day that I want to recognize my father, Jerry, and all that he has given me and my family, but also the men who are caring and nurturing in this world, even if they don’t have children of their own. My brothers Rich and Christopher are men I can count on as well – we’ve seen each other at the best of times and the worst of times – always holding out a hand to lift each other up. It’s been so important for my son to have these men in his life. To all of the men out in this world that care for others, thank you.
This poem is from The Liminal Space and I wrote it for my father-in-law on Father’s Day many years ago after he’d experienced what no parent should have to experience - the loss of a child.
FATHER THE FARMER
He looked down at his hands today
and asked himself if he would've changed a thing.
Of course not.
He was meant to be a farmer.
Meant to work fields, collect corn, feed animals,
repair what needs repairing,
take care of his Farmall Super C.
Raise his family the way he was taught,
and trust God to help him through
the times he didn't count on.
Let’s chat soon.
With affection,
Carrie VS