On Sunday, the weather was fantastic here in Milk River. Not much wind and you could see for miles. As opposed to last weekend where blizzard warnings and bad roads were the tonic for the happiness of one's soul. Having had a complete 180 in conditions, I decided that I would do something with my kids that my mom used to do with me when I was a young buckeroo... go for a walk on the farm.
The Reese Farm is located NE of the town of Milk River by about ten miles. Ask Cam how I know this and you'll get one heck of an answer. The farmhouse and cow barn, along with the other outbuildings are up on a peninsula that overlooks a long coulee on either side (it actually stretches from up near New Dayton all the way down to where it meets the Milk River just west of Writing-On-Stone). At the base of the south facing slope, just below the main house is a lake being held back by a small earth fill dam. From there, a little creek meanders it's way toward the main coulee channel where a canal has been built but no longer used (ask Uncle Kenny about that... he may become upset about the canal, so beware). Out in the fields across the dam are rock piles that my Grandpa Reese and presumably sons made as they picked the rocks out of the field. There are some big piles so I don't envy those hot days in the sun. I am also sure that Grandpa didn't quit for the day until the sun was close to going over the western horizon, he just worked that hard and expected his kids to do the same. Something my mom tried to impress upon me, too, so I guess Grandpa made an impression (not that my mom or my uncles had a choice). There are areas of thick brush and a few rocky outcroppings. Other than that, wide open prairie awaits.
I distinctly remember being with my mom, walking by some brush, and a pheasant popping out of those bushes when I was so close to him I could have grabbed him with my bare hands. Too bad my heart stopped and I had the daylights scared out of me by his sudden decision to bolt. My mom had a good laugh and we had fun in those hills. We'd see lots of deer and a few birds. Depending on the height of the water, there would be geese and ducks on the dam and the odd time, a coyote. Some good times... sometimes we wouldn't talk about much of anything or even talk much at all. Other times she'd ask about my dad and if I'd seen him lately, or where my head was at on that situation... tell me when else she'd have a chance except for a time like this. It was special and a simple thing, but important. I'm glad we would go for these walks and talk to each other like adults do (I couldn't have been more than 13 years old).
Anyway, we brought the girls out to the farm this past Sunday and enjoyed about an hour and a half in the coulees. We had a friend in Amber (Ken & Jane's dog) to guide us along and "lead the way" as Kathryn put it. Tansley loved the birds, Kathryn loved the views, and I enjoyed sharing it all with my family.
The most special part of the walk wasn't the picture we took of our family as we came up out of the coulee... instead it was stopping on the north facing slope with Kathryn to find the first few crocuses of the spring coming up. My mom and I would go pick these when I was Kathryn's age and now here I am doing the same thing with her. Can't really put to words how great that was but the feelings were deep and special. One of those times where becoming a parent is all worthwhile, no matter how long a day might be or if you are going it alone... I know what my mom to some degree was trying to do and hoping for everyday of our young lives... to have moments like that where things are taught, thoughts are expressed, and love is able to grow for one another.
I love my kids. I love being their daddy. I love having a wife that is everything I wanted to have in my life and every bit the mommy I wanted my kids to have. I love my mom. I love that she never gave up and never "tuckered out" though she should have on many of those crazy days the five of us raised hell. I love that the Lord has so freely given this all to me and the joy that comes from these gifts.
That walk on Sunday was a gift... and I will cherish it more than any one thing that can be bought in a store. I smile at the thought that my kids could have the same type of moment on the farm with their kids only to have the same realization I had today. "My parents loved me and we had some great moments to share, laugh, and love... and I want more of these moments!"
Many more to come, girls.
Wow baby, such a tender side of you. It's touching. I sure love you tonnes and tonnes. It was a great Sunday.
ReplyDeleteYou have me crying.
ReplyDeleteThe moments when we realize just how much our parents impressed upon us as we try to do the same with out kids.
How deeply we were loved - and discover the heart searing depth which it was felt for us when we feel it in turn for our children.
You're a lucky man, Danny Boy