Today was day one of who knows how many.
Craig was up before the sun and home after dark.
I should be used to this. Craig has been in agriculture our entire relationship, but this is is first planting season as a farmer.
I watched my dad do the same thing for 18 years of my life. The days got a little longer every day until it seemed that I hadn’t seen him for weeks. The only sign that he was still around was the backup alarm on the skid loader every morning and the cake that magically disappeared overnight.
I’d get a call every year on my birthday from him. May 16th. I always joked that I just didn’t ever have a dad for my birthday but I did. At least I did then more than I do now. I would give anything for that 30 second “Hey, happy birthday, know anything new? Yup. Have a good one.” He was always in the midst of planting or picking rock or spraying or hauling manure by May 16th and I never remember it raining on my birthday which would have been the only chance of seeing him.
I’m not sure how my mom did it. She had five kids. Five kids in 8 years and suffered through planting season after harvest season and do it all over again year after year.
I’ve done it for a total of one day. One day is long enough to remember how hard it is.
I was ready for Craig to be home. Carver had a major attitude after nap time and Gannon was getting into anything and everything. We were all dirty, all sweaty, all ready for a bath and some supper. The laundry had taken over the kitchen. I was ready for some help and a break and to talk to someone taller than 4 feet.
The call came from Craig at 6:30 pm. Didn’t know when he would be home. It’s okay. Bath time, supper, bed time. “Where’s daddy? Why isn’t he eating with us? What is anhydrous? We can’t eat without him! When will he come home? Can I sleep in your bed until he comes home?”
I had already put Carver back in bed three times over by the time Craig pulled in the driveway.
We sat and talked. It was so nice. It was passed my bed time but I needed some adult conversation over the table of Carver’s lego creations and leftover crumbs of snacks the boys left dribbled.
I can’t even tell you what we talked about but I was so thankful to see him and just have him present. I know that will become more of a rarity as the season goes on. I’m taking in every moment for now.
Today was one of who knows how many but we will make it through. Just like my mom did, just like my dad did. This is nothing we haven’t seen before.
Hang in there you farming wives. We got this.
To follow Craig and his team on the planting season and all things agriculture, follow Achen Farms on Facebook!
You and the boys will learn to adjust. It definitely is different but if you can, go out to the field, have a quick coffee break with him or take supper. He can use the break and the boys will love the time with Dad. I have a May birthday also. And for our June anniversary, I always say I get to go out for it….IF I make it or buy it and take it OUT to the field.
It is definitely difficult, especially when the kids don’t understand why their schedule has changed, but you can do this!! I know how exhausted I was when I took care of my two granddaughters when both parents were deployed for 2 months. And I wasn’t working on top of everything and we didn’t have the COVID-19 to deal with. Hubby sells and maintains farming equipment, so I know the crazy schedule from April through September…the farmers need those parts and equipment to be running!! Thankfully he usually gets Sunday’s off! Good thing kids can adjust to a new normal…but they are getting lots of “new normals” recently!
I can’t tell you how much we admire farmers in our family. We lived in IN for many years and we remember the times when we’d see the tractors and other farm equipment out at all hours planting corn. We knew it was harvest time when the engines of the combines could be heard all over and the headlights could be seen through our windows. Thank you to Craig for all his hard work which is so needed and to you for being an awesome wife.
Love and prayers
We are birthday twins- of course, I’m about twice your age!