When November rolls around we’re often reminded to be grateful. With all the end of the year expenses for my little family, I’ve had to consciously remind myself to be that way. Just to be grateful for all that we have.
When my husband and I purchased our first set of cows a couple of months after we bought our first acreage in 2017, I remember him saying “it’ll work, but it’ll be tight some years until we can own those cows. Then we can start building a herd.” After all it’s the calf crop that ultimately will pay the bills.
He wasn’t wrong. I remember an email conversation with our banker while I was at a work event and how I had to tell her that we were going to be short on our payment. I was terrified to let her know that, but she had to know. Her reaction honestly surprised me and how willing she was to work with us on finding a payment solution. That worked out and a time or two after.
This year, we have a bit of a different problem and are working with our tax professional to make the tax burden a little bit less. And for this problem, I’m grateful too, even though it’s nearly as stressful as having not enough.
Last week when our calves sold I struggled to find the joy in it knowing that if they sold good, Uncle Sam was going to take a large chunk of it. Then I saw the sale results and was proud how well they did sell. Proud of all the work my husband had done to care for them all year.
A former coworker sent me a photo of the calves going through the ring because she was sure my husband didn’t send me a photo. And she was right. She said they looked good, and I admitted I hadn’t seen them since we pre-weaned. Theirs sold well too and looked awesome.
Complaining is not very becoming for any situation. I too have to remind myself to see the positives in life. Agriculture is a rewarding profession, regardless of how substantial profits are.
One particular Bible verse caught my eye when trying to find something to wrap this post up, “The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest,” and I thought that was only appropriate for this Thanksgiving holiday. Praise the Lord for all he’s given us.
