Do you miss it?

About a year after I left home, I received a letter from Utahna and Crystal containing pictures of them in their pipe moving garb with sarcastic notes attached.  I put them in my scrapbook and wrote my response to my sisters:

Written Summer 2003:

Do I miss it?  A few years ago the answer may have even surprised me... YES!  I miss most everything about it.  I miss getting out in the open and working, I miss getting on the back of a hay truck and throwing bales around, I miss the thinking time I had while milking the cows, I even miss moving lines once in a while (I know my biceps do anyway).  I don't think there is any work that gives more satisfaction than farming... there is a definite sense of satisfaction in this career.

Yes, I miss farming, but not nearly as badly as I miss farming with my Dad.  I miss that every day contact with my hero.  I miss talking to my best friend each day as we worked in the barn or the field.

Dad taught me so much on the farm.  He taught me to work hard and take pride in working hard.  One day I was particularly upset as we were hauling hay, it seemed everyone else was on the back of the trailer just riding around as Dad and I picked up all the bales.  I expressed my frustration to Dad and he turned to me and said, "Jami, take pride in kicking someone else's butt!"  Of course as I approached dating age he changed his story, "Jami, if you want to date any of these boys, you're going to have to stop out working them!"

I learned many gospel principle's while working on the farm.  Who knew the barn could be such a spiritual place?

I am so proud to be a "farm girl."  I am surprised every day at what those two little words mean to people.  It means I come from a good family; it means I know the value of a dollar; it means I am not afraid of working hard; it means I know how to be part of a team.

I miss it... and I know the two of you will too!