Who can stop an 87-year-old farmer? Not me, and I’m not even going to try. I think it’s in a farmer’s DNA to just figure it out. When something breaks down, they figure it out. When they run up against an obstacle, they figure it out. When planting season is delayed by six weeks, they aren’t happy – but they figure it out and keep going. I’m always amazed at the confidence it takes to look at a problem and take a step out of bounds on the way to solving it. If you were to drive down the road and visit farm after farm after farm, they might all look the same on the outside, but on the inside they all have signs of a man who decided to “fix” a problem or “customize” a piece of equipment. While to the everyday farmer that is just part of their job, to those on the outside looking in, it takes a tremendous amount of courage to step up to the plate and take swing at a 90-mph fastball with a customized bat. You not only have to know how to solve the problem, you have to believe you can do it. I think belief is where many of us fall short. Earlier this spring my 87-year-old father was told his kidneys were not working and if he wanted to continue to live, he would have to be on dialysis. While he processed the thought of having to drive to a facility and be hooked up to a machine three times per week for four hours a day, he realized he didn’t like that option. So, like any normal farmer, he started thinking of ways he could “customize” his treatment. He began looking on eBay for a dialysis machine that he could buy and put in his home. And when he found one, he started a search for a dialysis technician who could come hook him up to the dialysis machine and supervise his treatment. When he told me this, my mouth dropped open, and I couldn’t process the thought of an 87-year-old man who would take on such a project. But then I realized, this is the farmer in him. He sees a problem and figures out a way to solve it. He had no qualms about buying the machine or the fact that it takes an extremely learned person to operate it. He just knew he would have to take that first step, and believed it was possible. I want that kind of belief. I want it now and I still want it when I’m 87 years old. I want to believe that I can get over an obstacle. I want to believe there is a solution and I want to have the confidence to get up every morning and take a run at it. Yes, I know the One who can solve all problems and can fix anything. But the hope and belief required to know there is a solution needs to come from us. My dad did not buy that dialysis machine, but he did find a solution and will be having home dialysis so he can continue to keep his life moving forward. After all, his wife of 62 years depends on him to drive her to the school for her volunteering obligations, monitor the farm activity, and do the taxes. #NeverWasteAMoment The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication. |
