My mother recently asked me if I wished I would have grown up differently. Like, in a city or somewhere more urban. I think it was joking statement coming out of my DC/NYC trip, but it did make me think. Do I wish that? Of course not. A) Because I don't know any different and B) because my roots mean the world to me. And here's why.
I know how I have grown up is unique. Not many people my age can say the grew up on a farm. Not many people my age can even say they have never moved before. I have had the same bedroom since I was born. I can look back on childhood pictures and say, wow, that tree was sure small back then, comparing it to today. I have been all over nearly every inch of this property (almost 200 acres), probably more than once.
Let's see what memories I can't scrounge up about this place.
1) Playing in the cow pasture/woods with my sister. We usually ended up soaking wet from getting in the creek bottom!
2) Chasing fireflies in June. I love the way they glitter over the bean fields.
3) Sitting in the front yard swing listening to the crickets and frogs.
4) Laying outside (anywhere) looking at the crystal clear stars. Can't see that stuff in a town.
5) A trench had to be dug by the house back in the early 2000's. My sister and I filled it with water and played in the massive mud hole.
6) Playing in the sprinkler/hose.
7) Getting dad to build us forts out of straw bales and then crawling around inside with flashlights.
8) Of course, the tree "house". I had a whole mess of twine strung up there that we would drape beach towels over to make a fort. Sister and I would eat lunch up there and do all sorts of random stuff.
9) In 1997, our dog had 13 puppies in the lower barn.
10) Sledding in the back hay field.
11) When sledding wasn't good enough, we attached a tractor inner tube behind the pick up truck and drove around the pastures (frozen cow pies hurt!)
12) Tumbling in the front yard.
13) When old enough, lots of truck and tractor driving.
14) One time, I helped with a hay delivery and the lady tipped me 5 dollars more than the other guy helping us. Said she was impressed by me and that "we ladies have got to stick together."
15) Helping dad with whatever project in the barn/garage/house etc and listening to either classic rock or country.
16) The animals! Cattle, hogs, dogs, cats, a horse... and don't forget the porch toad!
Ok, I could seriously do this all night and I don't think I even hit the highest points. The point is, though, that there is nothing I would do to change my childhood. I love my this life, down on the farm. I love the way it smells, sounds, tastes (fresh produce from the garden which I am spoiled on!). I think you get the picture. The country life what I am about. I intend to raise my kids this way, to gain an appreciation for nature and simplicity. That's kind of what this blog is based around. Literally laying down in green pastures? Yea, I've done it. But metaphorically also. It's so easy to just overlook the small things in life and that is just what I am trying not to do!
