Life on the farm on its best day is no picnic. But the rewards are many, and some are intangible.

Sitting at a full dinner table, I was glad to have my whole family sharing a meal together. But I was even more glad for the boys, who were now old enough to take on more responsibility, especially on this particular day. When dinner was finished and the coffee was being poured, the boss sat back and announced there was a lot of work to be done at chore time.

He started to list the problems that needed to be taken care of that afternoon: there was a flat tire on the manure spreader; the gutter cleaner had to be fixed before the gutters could be cleaned; there was a cow that needed some special attention and she was out in the pasture, in the mud; a heifer calved and she and her calf needed to be brought in from the pasture; and that was all in addition to milking the cows, feeding the cows and taking care of the young stock.

As I looked out at the continuous rain that had been coming down all day, making the muddy spots even muddier, I was overwhelmed at the thought of so much to do with so little daylight.

When he finished assigning the jobs I was practically giddy. I sat back, breathed a sigh of relief and said, “I’m so thankful I have to milk the cows!”

He gave me an inquisitive glance and asked, “Why?” I explained that on a day when it’s pouring down rain, there are gutters to fix, cows and calves to get up from a muddy pasture and sick cows to take care of, the job of milking the cows is a piece of cake.
I was going to perform a task I knew how to do, I needed no help, it didn’t require getting wet, slogging through the muck and mire, carrying wet calves and I wouldn’t have to use wrenches, hammers or screwdrivers.

There was a day when I would’ve had to help with all of that and then we would milk the cows. But with boys who are older and bigger and stronger, the burden on me has been lifted, and I’m thankful for that.

I remember when the kids were younger and the workload was tremendous, my dad took me aside and said, “You know, in a few years you’re going to have a great workforce in these kids, but it’s going to be a little while yet.” And I remember thinking, They will never be old enough soon enough for me; I want help NOW.

The help has arrived and just in time. For the farm family there is nothing like having your back against the wall and having the family pull together to get the job done. There is a sense of accomplishment, a bond is reinforced and confidence in your parenting is shored up.

When the tough times come on the farm, instead of wishing them away, we should welcome them for the opportunity to build up the family unit. Instead of hanging our heads in defeat we can join together, share the load and our abilities are strengthened.
Instead of thinking we have to do it all ourselves, we should count on each other, trust in each other and watch the fibers of the family grow stronger.

Trials will come, that’s a guarantee, but the difference is in how we handle them. Will we take on the trouble alone? Or, will we share the load with the people we know we can count on … our families?

Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.