Did anyone else read that wise saying in a recent Buchheit’s ad? I was taken aback by it because I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear it! It said “If you are thinking of quitting, remember why you started in the first place.” Boy did that resonate with me! When I first moved out to the country in 2009, the word that best described me was “giddy.” I could barely contain my pure delight in just being out in the green-green grass of home! Every day was an adventure and no problem was too tough to conquer. I had finally arrived!
Well, fast forward to the present, our neighbor knocked on our door yesterday morning and wanted to know if today would be a good day for him to bring his backhoe and dig out the ditches. Jim jumped up ready to go as he had waited for quite some time for our neighbor to feel inclined to do that job. It was supposed to just be a small job that wouldn’t take too long.
They found a little problem. Countless man-hours later, Jim was still working. Did I mention that we got an unnecessary downpour late afternoon to complicate matters?
This kind of project tests the nettle of a man. Will he let it embitter him, cursing the forces that caused the problem or will he rise up and conquer? Homesteading and farming have issues like this often. The unexpected is what makes you send the women on a Buchheit’s run for materials while you are left with the heavy lifting. A wise proverb says “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” which translated into plain English means that when hardships hit, what you are made of comes out in what you say. It will either be encouragement or cursing and sometimes it’s a bit of both! I’m thankful Jim usually meets the challenge with a positive attitude.
Hardships build character especially in a marriage. Jim and I have weathered some pretty tough storms, no needs to go into detail, storms come to us all. It’s how we handle them when they hit that counts. I have learned over the years that getting the last word isn’t as important as remembering why I am here, right by his side even when it’s cold and rainy and I would rather be in the warm house. We are a team forged by adversity. I know that he has my back and I hope he knows I have his.
All he asked me to do 34 years ago when we got married was “hold up my end of the two by four” he would hold up his. Are you holding up your end?
I need to go. While the boys no longer let me dig ditches, I need to get outside with some cold drinks. I’ll let you know what happens. One thing I am sure of is that Jim will find a way to not only fix the problem but make it better than before, that’s what homesteaders do. Be kind today. Sincerely, Anne May
