Normally I try to keep things sunny and happy over here at The Tomboy Tales. It’s my Pollyanna attitude you could say, but today’s post is a little bit deeper and more personal. I know I teased ya’ll yesterday with photos of rafting and camping. Don’t worry, we’ll get back to the fun and games shortly but some posts just write themselves and this was one of those. Bear with me, somedays a girl’s just gotta deal. If you don’t do tears (don’t worry, I can’t stand it when I cry.) here’s your chance to bail.
A few weeks ago my grandfather fell ill and we know his time with us is short. Last night, one of my friend’s grandfather, who also was one of my grandfather’s good friends, passed away. I saw the prayer that follows posted on the Fence Post Diaries blog a while back and to me it fits these guys perfectly.
A Farmer’s Prayer (or Rancher’s Prayer)
Posted on April 19, 2013by jheem
Dear Lord, I don’t ask for too much
A happy family, rain, & such
But there is one thing I’d bring to your attention
So small, hardly worth a mention
That someday, when the land is paid
And our hair is gone or grayed
That, when we’re done with our turn on the land
It goes to others who understand
They plant a miracle with each and every seed
An unsuspecting world’s hopes and dreams
It takes special people to comprehend
That flood & drought are part of Your plans
May it be people wise enough to take pity
On those in supermarket aisles in the city
Many of which are so unaware
Of the Great Cycle in which they share
Dear Lord, they are so many and we are so few
May our replacements not despair as we sometimes do
Or take a walk in grass so tall
That next year, becomes a new shopping mall
May their children grow up to see the reward
In the hard day’s work their friends ignored
I know this is a lot Lord, there’s just one more thing
That these people see the reward this job brings
It won’t be trophies or plaques on the wall
There may never be a single “thank you” at all
There will be times when they lose sight
Of why they watched over this cow all night
As she delivers that calf and then just dies
Please step in and answer their “Why’s”
We’re a dying breed and we need them all
Another generation to carry the ball
A respect for your ways and love of the land
Just can’t be found in corporate plans
Please dear Lord, I know this is bold,
But grant me this peace as I’m growing old,
The knowledge another family will follow our way
And care for this land ‘til their dying day.
This morning, I sat in my garden and had myself a good cry. Gardening has been passed down through my family, like a lot of South Dakota families. There was rarely a conversation with my Grandpa that didn’t include some question about what was growing in my garden or what I was planning on planting the next season. My grandpa and my friend’s grandpa were ornery old guys, hardened by the South Dakota prairie, the weather and all that life threw at them. They worked the land and were proud of what they did. My tears this morning weren’t for them, because we are all just passing through this world, but for the void they leave. I’m sure going to miss my Grandpa’s advice but I’m so thankful for the gifts he passed on and I hope as he slips away he knows that the Lord might have answered this prayer.