Reflections Of The Land - Part Seven
Posted: Saturday, September 11, 2010
by Richard Radtke
http://www.cottagebythelane.com
There are times that change in inevitable, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worst. There are some that do not like change, that think it is something to be feared. Others welcome it, they know that it is something you cannot hold back no matter hold had you try. The land is like that it knows that mighty mountains will one day be worn down into plains, that rivers change their course. The snow that covers it now will melt, and the leaves that fall upon it will blow away. Change is simply part of it all
The years rolled on, the cycle continued, each season coming and going as it should. On one cool morning the clouds hung heavy in the sky, not so much in the sense of an oncoming storm, but more in a lazy, overcast way. On the hills around the valley one could see the grey mist of the morning that gave you the sense of looking at them through frosted glass. There was a slight breeze that gently, ever so gently whispered across the ground, brushing gently against the leaves in the trees, gently swaying them. It was a day that was unique in its own way, but not so different than many other days. There was a touch of fall in the air although it was only late August, but it was like that out here. One never knew what each day would bring; one could only live with what was given.
Will and Rachel were on the porch, had been for a bit, together they had watched the sun come up in the eastern sky, watched the magic as it made its way from a sliver that only peeked above the far off hills to the disk that now hung just above them. The grey mist that covered the hills covered it too, dimming it, giving it a sharp outline in the overcast sky. The chill borne of the breeze was not uncomfortable; in fact it was a relief from the hot dry winds of summer. To someone looking in at this scene, they would only see contentment, a snapshot of life that many would admire. But for Will and Rachel the scene was different, true they knew of the beauty that surrounded them, but there was also a sense of loss. Seth was gone, he had passed a few weeks ago in his sleep, not unexpected, but leaving a void in the body of family they had so come to know and love. And now there was another grave upon the hill, another marker that marked the passing of yet another generation, and the land remained
The last few years had seen changes on the homeplace, Will had bought the land of Rachel's father and it had proven to be a good investment. The rise in prices and the good weather had meant that there was money in the bank. With that improvements had been made on the land, tiling, and terracing, changes that saved the land for the future. New equipment had been purchased that was able to handle the new acres. It was a time of growth for the homeplace, but it was also a time that would change.
The boys had grown too; Jake would be graduating high school this year and then would be heading off to college in the fall. Steven would be graduating high school the following year and he was hoping to go to college too. But for now they worked the land alongside their father, but not with the same passion he had shown. But that was not entirely their fault, Will was himself not sure that he wanted them to lead the life he had. True, he loved the land, loved feeling he got when he was in the fields, but he also knew that there was much more out there. He wanted his son's to experience that; he wanted them to see things he had not, did not want them tied to the land as he was. But he also knew that the decision for that would be their own, all that he was able to do was guide them as he well as he could.
He and Rachel had discussed it many times over the years, and they both had agreed that there was more out there for the kids than this. While it was not a bad life, in fact it was one they would never give up, there was so much more. And they would make sure the boys knew that, and knew that they were free to choose what it was they wanted to be. The time had past that you became a farmer simply because your father was. Will and Rachel felt that the world had gone beyond that, now you became who you wanted to be, and if that was following in your fathers footsteps so be it, if not then, well they would support their boys in whatever profession they chose to follow.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)I think it must be sad for parents when children don't want to follow in their footsteps; hard to accept that perhaps their children won't want to continue what they've put so much work into.
Nice article...thanks for sharing it...
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