Yesterday and today I spent most of my time bush hogging the fields.
While not a mindless job…One has to pay attention to the job and the tractor the terrain and the limbs and rocks…Well you all get the idea…It does give me time to just think…No interruptions.
The day was beautiful…One of the most beautiful days I have ever seen. The weather was warm and sunny. But not hot. Perfect. Yes that describes it with a soft gentle breeze from the south west. The sun was that golden that only happens in the late fall . But the air was fresh and the trees golden, green, red, brown and some of the trees were showing their grey skeletons! (as only trees can do)
It is hard to imagine how diesel fuel smells and the sound a diesel tractor running can bring back so many wonderful memories…Of love…of the earth, of my Grandpa Delk, his goodness, care and love for his land, family, animals and of course my sweet Grandma. How picking up rocks and taking care of the farm…From mowing grass, fixing fence, cleaning out a terrace, making hay…were all part of his life and his love.
How you can take a real lawn mower and mow a field my Grandpa owned and not worry about hitting a rock…(I know his children Alton my Daddy and my brother Kenneth’s … Dempsey, Henry and Richard our uncles) all picked up rocks while my Grandma drove the tractor and latter I drove the tractor too…I even spent my time picking up rock:-)…How the rocks were stacked in low places to catch the run off and any soil that washed!
I thought of the cows, horses, chickens and dogs my Grandpa raised. How he loved the horses and dogs…The importance of having good stock and knowing what that meant. How he made sure they were all well fed and cared for.
I remembered hay rides high on the trailer back to the barn…Of all the work farming is…How content and satisfied my Grandparents were with their simple lives. I say simple …but uncomplicated might be a better word. They watched the news and or listened to it and the weather on the radio. They went to church and that was important. Their family and neighbors were important. They were all ways ready to help. They read their Bible and Grandpa all ways had an AQHA Journal or some dog magazine close by….They read the local paper and Grandma quilted…
I was mowing and thought I need to clean out around the edge of the fields. The trees need trimming and the bushes cutting! Grandpa would not let the briars get such a hold! I remembered the sweet smell of Grandpa after he had been out on the tractor all day…of diesel fuel and grass dogs and horses…A tear fell here and there. Goodness I miss my Grandpa… I think of that song by Brad Pasiley “When I Get To Where I’m Going” as I wipe a tear away…
I will shed a happy tear and ride a rain drop…But Grandpa and I will take the long walks and see our Lord together! Because I know Grandpa and Grandma are there waiting for me.
I have said this before and I know it to be true…Each time we loose a loved one a bit of our heart leaves this earth with them…Till one day we don’t mind so much leaving here ourselves…
My Grandpa and Grandma Delk
