The Farmstead
Have you ever had an event or series of events that just stops you in your tracks and causes you to stop and reflect? Reflect on who you are, what you believe in and what made you who you are? After 55 years, my parents sold their little 80 acre farm nestled in the beautiful hills of Northeast Iowa. “My grounding place”. A little piece of heaven that taught me the value of hard work, gave me opportunities to care for a variety of animals , and gain a bushel full of valuable life skills. My family moved to “The Farm” when I was 4. A beautiful farm located at the dead end of a dusty gravel road. The house, like the farm, were in various states of dis-repair. The upstairs rooms were unfinished, the dining room floor sunk down in the middle. (I always thought that was the meaning of “sunken” when referring to a room. The yard was uneven, hilly and full of ruts. But it was ours. My special childhood adventure began at the end of a dusty gravel road. The farmstead consisted of one barn, one silo, a corncrib, one Quonset machine shed and an old train depot, and 40 Dutch Elm trees. The trees were massive in size and curved around the backyard between the house and barnyard area. There were several pine trees in between that were so thick there was actually a gate to enter the area. The gate was there because of the wire fencing used to keep the cattle in the barnyard. Like a tiny little fairy forest, it called to my imagination… I was only 4 remember? The farm also consisted of 40 acres of open farmland and 40 acres of woodland with a front pasture just behind the barn. I am thankful for the memories that I have gathered over the years from My Side of the Barn. Reflecting on past memories on the farm provides me solace to draw from, as life continues on. The farm experiences provided ways to help me navigate this path called life. Life is not a race but indeed a journey. Be honest. Work hard. Be choosy. Say “thank you”, “ I Love you” and “great job” to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you have been given. It is not accidental –search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you aspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and ENJOY THEM! Some of the best things really are free! Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself–Plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you’ve been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment ….. Bonnie Mohr Gratitude, when uttered, reflects an acknowledgment of Him, as oftentimes what I perceived to be the pieces of me falling apart, like the breaking of glass (so to speak) produced a beautiful stained glass picture beyond my wildest imagination. Meander down my dusty gravel road, as I share chicken tales HERD on My Side of the Barn.com