Its all very romantic to think about farming and the joys it can bring. The reality though is often very different. I am not sure if its the universe is giving us a test to see if we can cut the mustard or tow the line as a farmer. I know I have cried through a few of those tests, and come out on the other side of it smiling. Yet in the moment, the only thing to do for me is just to let it out.
I think back to my very first experience milking my very own goat. Shana was a sweet goat, who I loved very much...She stood on the stand, feet nicely planted eating her sweet feed like a champion. My hands were unaccustomed to the task, and for the first 6-10 minutes, I just couldn't get that dang teat to produce any milk. Shana just looked around the corner of the stanchion at me and grinned...I could actually hear her mocking me...
Finally I just let it come, the tears just flowed down, I rested my forehead against the side of my new goat and cried and cried...you know the ugly kind of crying.....ya that kind.....
It was just what I needed to do, it helped to release Shana's milk. The stress and lack of self esteem in my chosen task definitely didn't help my attempts, but after a good cry, we moved on. I did finally get my hands to work and we got a nice warm pint of goats milk to show for it. Through out the years of homesteading and farming I have had many moments that were ladden with tears. I think for me it helps to move past the current crazyness that is happening. It allows you to take that moment, see it for what it is and step away with a fresh view of your task.
I even cried because I couldn't pound in a nail. It just didn't want to go into the wood for me, and I took that as a major affront to my nailing abilities...and when the men folk are giggling about your situation it only makes it worse. Cried...YUP and I am pretty sure I threw the hammer. After my little fit, I nailed nails with the best of em.
Each situation is different, some so crazy and frustrating you just have to cry...others a toss of the handy tool will suffice.
There is a lesson to be learned here. Sometimes you just can't help but get to the place where tears or throwing things is the only way to fix it. Yet if we simply take a moment to be present in our daily lives we will be able to recognize that our situation is beginning to reach toward frustration. Take your time, breath....Let the negative go.......and look to the positive that will ultimately be your outcome. Smile and be thankful you are here to have these experiences.
So there ya go peeps...cry, throw things, scream shout and swear...but in the end know you will make it through and it will all be fine...you can always pour another glass of milk.....
