I stand out in the pasture each morning; we check out the animals and clean up the manure. Sometimes I throw the ball for Zinnia.
I always think, “how lucky I am to be here and see this every morning.” Often someone messages me with the same message. I am fortunate to see this every morning, be so close to nature, and share my life with animals.
Yet when I think about it, I have to be honest. I don’t really believe in luck. It took many years of hard work to get there; Maria’s journey into her life was long and painful.
I have no complaints about my life, but for me, the message of the farm is that you get what you work for it and if you want it badly enough and don’t quit on your dreams.
Grandma Moses said that life is what you make of it, which I have come to learn and believe. That is what has worked for me.
I don’t want people to think this life is a matter of good fortune. No one wrote a big fat check for Maria or me. I’ve never bought a Lottery ticket in my life, and I hope I never do.
A farm and a life with animals come from hard work, stubbornness perhaps, and a willingness to listen to yourself and not to others. I see it as a leap of faith. I took the plunge and could as easily landed on my head as on my feet.
I believe almost anyone can find a place like this to live if they really want it. But you have to believe in your dreams. You have to trust them. You have to put your money on them.
You can get old pretty quick, waiting for luck.
You make your own luck in life…no doubt though it helped that I had two great parents that set a great example on how to live your life.
I agree with you about your philosophy. I retired from education when I was 59 years old and I can’t tell you how many people have commented about how lucky I was to do that. At first, I thought the same thing. But as I got to thinking, no, it wasn’t luck, I worked hard to put myself through school, to show up everyday and do my job, to take extra classes in the summer, to stick to it when I was down. Now I tell people that same thing. And I’m proud of what I have accomplished.
I agree Deb. I’m a retired Professor Emeritus from our local community college and loved the 40 years I spent teaching and mentoring students. It required constant, hard efforts to be successful with our students, but as it is said, if you enjoy what you do, you will never work a day in your life. Deb, enjoy your retirement and Jon, continue to love your farm, Maria, neighbors and keep writing.
> get old pretty quick waiting for luck…
Write on, Jon.