Silent strength

    Blood, sweat, and tears are not just put forth by the farmer himself. What you don’t see is the Blood, sweat, and tears in the form of silent strength, love, patience, and encouragement given to him from behind closed doors. Put forth by the woman who loves and supports him.
     Although this may not be as evident as the man you pass in the field planting crops, filling silo at 1a.m., or helping a cow in labor it is a very real, and silent part of many family farms. Like her husband, she pours her heart and soul into a lifestyle she loves and respects although it may look different it’s still part of what keeps her going. Focused on keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. Helping one child with schoolwork while getting the toddler out of the snack cabinet for the tenth time because supper is on the stove almost ready, the baby who had her up all night is clinging to her fussing because he's teething only to get a call saying "hey hun I won’t be in till late". She puts on a smile feeds the kid's supper makes sandwiches, grabs the potato chips, water, and starts the coffee knowing he will need it in a few hours and runs his supper(not the supper she just spent an hour making) to the field.
   Sure there are the household task like cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping to name a few but there’s also the yard that needs mowing, bills that need paying, a barn full of several hundred cows she may need or want to help milk while juggling several kids with busy little hands wanting to help or needing snacks, drinks, and still keeping the cows and milkers running smoothly making sure they don't get behind. There is no daycare for farmers' wives. You have something that needs to be done, you find a safe way that the kids can be with you. There is no counting down till five knowing your husband is on his way home from work or waiting till the weekend when he's home to help with the kids or give you a break, every day is different.  Once in a while, if she’s lucky and they're in a pinch it’s her turn to run the tractor in the peace and quiet.
     In a time where gender equality is something, we’re more aware of don’t make assumptions. Don’t assume she’s a pushover, doesn’t speak up, or know her worth because she’s at home caring for her children and home. Chances are she speaks her mind, shares her opinion, knows how important her role is, and loves every minute. Just the same do not assume her husband is selfish, takes her for granted, or doesn’t know her worth. He knows he couldn't do it without her or do what she does, values her opinion, and views her as his equal.
     Running on faith, prayer, and in my case lots of coffee she loves her farmer and the lifestyle. Although not always perfect and has moments of frustration, wanting to pull her hair out or wishing her coffee was something stronger, she wouldn’t change this life for anything. To all my fellow farm wives your work is not unnoticed.