Good things

My late grandfather was a farmer, and though he had a great appreciation for higher learning, he was a firm believer in never letting school get in the way of a valuable life experience.

As a young man he travelled from Nova Scotia by boxcar to Toronto, Ontario, with a load of Hereford cattle destined for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. This was in the 1930s. Common sense would suggest he and the cattle spent the bulk of that trip holed up in a small, stinky, noisy, and rattly space. But you’d swear from the way he remembered it that cows didn’t poop, and old trains travelled at light speed. The excitement and novelty of that journey stuck with him for the rest of his days, and to some degree shaped the way he lived his life.

As farmers often do, he possessed an undying sense of wonder about the world around him, and a deep appreciation for the simple things – among them, food, rocking brand-new babies, and the companionship of a good dog.

My grandfather was an influential character, not because he pushed his views on others, but because his light shone through. His approach and ideas always felt genuine, and right. In accordance with my grandfather’s values (and encouragement), my kids stayed home from school when something notable was happening in our world. The birth of a foal was always one of those occasions – for better or for worse.

Sherone Black’s visit with the Casey family and the story of their crazy, happy, and sad foaling experience in this issue certainly encapsulates the roller coaster ride of raising livestock. Her story, “Bess’s Charm,” also gives a bit of insight into how the temperament of a farmer must be such that he or she can cope with happiness and heartbreak – sometimes at the same time, maintain an even keel, and keep on going with the understanding that things could always be worse.

The word “gratitude” is getting a lot of mileage these days. Convenience has perhaps made it easier to take things for granted, and forget to be thankful for what we have. There’s nothing like a life and death situation to put that in perspective in a hurry. It makes sense that being grateful would be helpful in maintaining emotional health, when dealing with those types of situations on a daily basis. Research (from many sources) is now backing up the benefits of having an “attitude of gratitude” in overcoming difficult, and even traumatic events. Being content and satisfied with your life might just be the strongest protection against Post-traumatic stress disorder.

I think of my grandfather often and notice the things that he would love and enjoy. Among them, his very young great-great-grandsons – one squishy and fat from good milk, and the other diligently working away, cleaning a stall with a little red shovel and wheelbarrow. He’d be sitting quietly, taking it all in. I can hear him say what he always said about a whole lot of things, “Well that’s pretty damn good.”

So, don’t let these warm summer days slip away, or spend more time than you should worrying about stuff you can’t control. Make time to ride, groom, tidy up the tack room, wander through the pasture, or take your horse out for a hand graze on the lushest part of the lawn. Whatever makes you happy, do it, and consider how fortunate you are to have the opportunity.