The Strong Mind of a Farmer

"Grandpas Milk Cow," one of my favorite paintings by Robert Duncan.

Today while volunteering at a nursing home, I got to work with an older man who used to be a farmer. This man's mind is not what it used to be, the effect of many years of wear and tear. Helping him made me think of my amazing grandfather and the wonderful values that farmers have. This man would not eat his meal until everyone else had food, and constantly wanted to give his food to others. The strong need to feed the world was still a large priority to this man, he had done it for so long that it had become natural. He was also very worried about what we would do with the food after he was finished, told me that we could "give it to a cat or dog." Not wanting to waste any of it, and use everything that he had. Then he kept saying that he needed to go home before the sun went down because he still had things to get done. Working hard is just second nature to a farmer, getting the most out of every single day.

This man is an inspiration to me, that someday when I am not quite in the right mindset that I am still able to hold on to what life has given me as a kid who grew up on a farm and one who hopes to spend the rest of my life feeding the world.