Often in this blog I write about the triumphs and tribulations of being a mom and farmer’s wife. Today, I am going to focus on the fathers on our farm.
Being a farm dad is not easy or glamorous. Long hours, unpredictable schedules make “family time” very valuable. Coming home at 5pm, sharing a family dinner, then having family time doesn’t exist in our world. Jon missed many of his kids’ sporting events and 4-H meetings. Tim will probably do the same.
But what perks farm dads don’t get from the nine to five world, they make up with an incredibly honorable profession. Our kids are growing up in a household where Grandpa (Papa) and Dad love their job, work hard each day and make a difference in many people’s lives. They are learning that hard work does pay off and there are no shortcuts in life.
Our boys idealize Papa and Dad and love “helping” out on the farm. Each day is “take your child to work day” on our farm. While they are riding with Papa or Dad in the tractor or bring in the cows, they are learning about animals, crops, weeds, nature, disease, life and death. They often talk about being farmers when they grow up and how they will be able help more when they are bigger.
Jon has instilled many great values on Tim and Tim is doing the same on our children. I truly believe that farm dads are the best teachers in character. They also have the world’s perfect “classroom” to teach strong values.
Yes, I have joked on this blog about farm dads and their non bashfulness in the labor and deliver ward or their less than idealistic visions of a “date night” with their wives. But, they are the salt of the earth and I feel blessed each day that our children have a farm dad and papa.
To read about other farm dads, take a peek at our friend Janice’s blog, a Colorful Adventure, listing some of the best farm dad’s who blog.
Happy Fathers’ Day to all the dads out there. A special shout out to my own dad, who is also a farmer (viticulturalist). He is another great example of salt of the earth dads and of course my favorite dad!
Emily
Thanks Emily! Tim is certainly a great farm dad! if he blogged more, he would have been on my list but hehsa such a great farm mom blogger, why mess with perfection!
I love the photos of the Dads/Grandpas with the boys and the dairy cows. I enjoyed your Father’s Day tribute!
Great pictures Emily! Well said.