20/12/2024
Owning allfields for for 25 years is 7 years longer than I lived at home. Those first 18 years I learnt a lot! I find myself thinking about old times more & wonder how they have shaped allfields.
My Dad grew up “in the church” as an exclusive brethren (I did not thank god). He left the church & every single family member so he could run the farm he purchased from his parents. His choice to do that allowed his kids to lead a normal school, sport & social life. His teaching was always god first, others second, yourself last. Part one was always iffy on me but two & three remain firm with me today. is staff & clients are our beating heart. My needs are a far off last.
His business was milking cows in which he had very little control over how much money they might earn in any one season. He had no say in the price per litre of milk he provided. He had no control over the weather, or the harsh reality of livestock that get sick and die from too little or too much grass. is make hay when the sun is shining & save the excess feed for the droughts.
I was dad’s little helper on the farm. I would get dressed up in overalls or oilskin leggings, Swandri & gumboots. I’d sit on the wheel arch of the little Massey Ferguson while dad would drive in blustering wind, or piercing rain & he would sing always, “you are my sunshine”. still sing out loud on the worst days.
I’d then jump on the back tray to feed out the hay to the cows. Then back to the hay shed to load up hay on the tray for the next day. I would whinge & say let’s load up tomorrow, but he would always say you never know what tomorrow might bring, be ready tonight for tomorrow. always be ready for tomorrow, who knows what tomorrow might bring.
I wasn’t allowed to milk the cows until I had to. When dad lost a finger on the back of a fire engine in an accident. So a neighbor taught me how to milk the cows. Before long I could take the dog, go and get the cows, bring them into the shed, start up all the machinery, do all the checks & get clean milk flowing into the vat, complete the milking, then wash it all down. there are others who can teach us important skills.
He left school at 14 with no school quails. He did have amazing hand writing in that he wrote all in capital letters. He had an awesome network of neighbors and friends that would help on days like hay making days, mum would make a huge bacon and egg pie and crates of beer would appear (the only time booze was seen). you need a village, our trusted partners are vital.
So here I am today saying cheers to my dad on his 80th birthday. Today dementia has robbed him of his the drivers license he has had for 65 years but not his humor or his appetite. The next few years won’t get any easier with the horrible memory loss, so all we can do is tell stories. make every day count!
Happy birthday Dad from your Lass.
