I am sat in the back of a
pick-up truck, tumbling around as it makes its way higher up the mountain on a
one-track path. The late afternoon sun is starting to disappear behind the
mountains and the sound of birds mixed with little girls’ laughter, fills the
air.
They jostle for space,
giggling and screaming with joy as the truck sways around. I catch sight of my
daughter’s face, bathed in sunlight against a backdrop of velvet green, her
eyes closed to the wind blowing through her hair, and I know that I am
witnessing the childhood I dream of for her.
When we arrive at the dairy
farm, the girls hop over the side of the truck and run around saying hello to
the calves; even an escapee adds to their adventure. We watch as the cows head
back out to pasture and then make our way over to fill up our container with
fresh milk. The girls do what children do; make a mess, fight over who holds
the funnel and who pours, before they race back to the truck for the homeward
adventure.
I realise, in that moment,
that the opportunity to experience these daily rhythms of farming life is
giving my daughter just what I had hoped: nature, freedom, fresh air, closeness
to animals.
For this I am glad.
It has taken a while to
settle into a new routine and for some time I found myself standing back,
silently observing the daily chores of farm life, whilst feeling a little lost
about my place here. But now, almost two weeks in, I wake with newfound energy
wondering what the day will bring, filled with the realisation that my body –
and mind – are absorbing what they so craved.
To find the time to really
ask ourselves questions deep within is a luxury for most, and as I wander to
the barn to feed the lambs late at night, as I work on the terraces or gaze out
whilst watering the garden, as I stand with the horses, sit with the chickens
and watch the sheep as they pass by my window each morning, I cherish the
opportunity I have to do just that and I realise that I am gaining just as much
as my daughter from this adventure.
8 comments:
Wow, that view is awesome! I wouldn't mind weeding a bit there :-)
Sounds fantastic! There's nothing like riding in the back of a pick-up either!
It is pretty cool PA :-) perhaps you could take your weeding skills all over the world, now you're a pro!
Riding in the back of the truck is, by far, Isabella's MOST favourite thing!
Oh, this makes me so happy. The joy is absolutely evident! Keep soaking it all in, my friend. Sending you love xo!
I am so happy for you that this experience is turning out to be everything you hoped for! It looks absolutely stunning and a fabulous experience for any child, no wonder Isabella is lapping it up.
Look forward to hearing about it in person when you get back xxx
What a lovely post - love the way you describe you are giving your daughter the childhood you hoped for her.
Thanks lovely Meg... I certainly am soaking it up - as you insisted I do from the beginning! Love to you on your farm and hope you received my email xxx
Thanks Alice1 - It really is turning out to be all I had hoped for and Isabella is having a ball :-) A girlie weekend perhaps upon my return!!! xxx
Thank you for stopping by Julia - I'm glad you enjoyed!
You have given your daughter that which so many parents strive for yet cannot manage due to their addictions to consumption, status and today's fashion.
You have given your daughter true values.
Thank you Peter, as always, for your kind words :-) I try to follow my heart and do the best I think I can for her.
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