It is a great mistake for men to give up paying compliments, for when they give up saying what is charming, they give up thinking what is charming.
-Oscar Wilde, 1854-1900, writer and poet

Old Oscar Wilde has a great point when he emphasized the power of a positive word. What comes out of our mouth is not only powerful to us and our thinking, but our words are extremely powerful to others who hear it.

Last week things got hectic around here, as the head honcho had to fly south for a few days, leaving the responsibility of the farm to me and our four kids. Everyone knows a dairy farm in the winter continually balances on the edge of barely hanging on and a total disaster, depending on the temperature and the direction and force of the wind.

So, for the lead dog to be gone for a few days during this time is pretty unnerving for this farm wife, who would rather sit by the fire, sip hot coffee, eat sweet rolls and write.

The gang pulled together and everyone tugged on the same end of the rope, yielding a successful weekend. We made it through with just one fatality, one flat tire, a slight flood, no mastitis and the gutter cleaner continuing to function properly (“properly” is a very loose definition in this case).

The bonus was that we were able to make it to the basketball game on time, the local DHIA banquet sort of on time and, as far as I can tell, no one is suffering from exhaustion.

While I would never slight the strength, endurance and knowledge of my three boys, I have to give credit where credit is due – and that goes to my daughter.
Showing up on time, right on the money, every morning, she was my right-hand man, making sure every task was covered, going the extra mile and always providing the help I needed.

Honestly, I think she was switched at birth; she cannot have one ounce of my DNA, as she is way too punctual and detail-oriented for me to be her mother. But I’m not giving her up now – she has spoiled me and there is no way I could function properly without her!

By the end of the weekend, the kids were ready for their father to be home and for a much-needed break from the winter woes of dairy farming. Recognizing this, the CEO went to each one of his kids and told them how proud he was of them and thanked them for their dedication and contribution to the farm while he was away.

While they might rather have a wad of cash in their pockets for their work, the positive words he spoke to each one of them will lift them up for the moment and linger in their minds for a lifetime.

Your positive words count; spend them wisely.

 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.