RicelandMeadows

South end of the house

November 1, 2011

 

     November is upon us and winter not too far away. The south end of our house flower bed is still a colorful display. It makes a guy feel good. I know it won’t last much longer, but it is sure pretty while it does.

 

     Funny how the growing season is like life itself. As we reach the November of our lives, many of us are still vibrant, colorful and easy on the eyes. We know that we are mere shadows of what we used to be. We don’t let that change us. We keep blooming, fighting and shining as we begin to fade away.

 

     I like to think of myself in my September years 😮 I am not what I once was in terms of physical strength. I am often disappointed by this fact. Once in a while, I even hurt my back because my muscles won’t cooperate. I will say that I am stronger in other areas, that I will call inner strength. I now have greater control over my temper. My tolerance for “crap” is lower, but it doesn’t rile me up like it once did.

 

     I have a confidant, friend and fellow farmer whom I have known for twenty years. He is soon to be a octaganiarian. He farms everyday. He has farmed every day of his life. He, like me, enjoys the simpler things and is a spokesman for sustainable agriculture. He got news recently that he has a skin cancer. It is slow-moving and treatable, but a concern just as well.

 

     My friend is blooming greatly. He farms, tells the world of his experiments. He shares information at every opportunity. I would say that he has reached a pinnacle, that I can only hope to reach, before I begin to fade. My hat is off to my friend. My hoe is raised in celebration of his accomplishments.

 

     He expects a slow down this winter as the doctors treat his illness. He has a great attitude and is planning for the 2012 growing season. The doctors tell him it will probably go into remission and he will continue on as usual. I hope God gives him the gift of letting him die one day, many years from now, out in a field on his farm, surrounded by his sheep…. I hope for the same thing for me one day.

 

     I know a lady who volunteers for the Historical Society. She has done many things to move the organization forward. She has done it all, late in her life. Just one more example of fading glory. I don’t want to sit and grow old wishing I would have done more. I want to plow through life, sowing smiles where I go. I want to impart happiness and learning as I share the fruits of my labor. I want the world to reap from what I have sown.

 

     The sun shines brightly even though the fields are a sea of mud. The November sky is blue and filled with promise. The growing season is over, but there is still plenty of fading color and beauty … you just have to slow down and look for it. Be the sun or be the late-blooming flower. Shine or bloom for everyone to see. You will be enriched beyond words and rewarded beyond belief.