My mom never ceases to amaze me. She grew up living in town and fell in love with a man who loved living on the farm. The farm way of life suits my mom - except when it comes to working cows. Growing up, my mom had the honored job of watching the gate while dad and I would sort off cows. That was 20 years ago. And while we still have her watch the gate from time to time, she's become an integral cog in our operation's wheel. At a time when we are celebrating high school and college graduations, I'd like to pause and celebrate my mom's graduation to: pioneer woman.
Let's set the record straight. Our farm would be a disaster if it weren't for my mom. She keeps food in the house, floors swept, and papers piled. She keeps track where we stash the tattoo digits and Estrus Alert patches we only need once a year. And she also manages the unsightly mitten/hat/glove box - a feat no ordinary woman can do. Outside of the house, she mows lawn, pulls weed and burns - you could say yardwork for my mom is like what snowboarding is for me - therapy. Mom's goals this year include demolishing a building, cleaning up all the scrap metal (and splitting profits with Becky Deutsch) and painting the bunkhouse.
But last night, Mom went through graduation. She, along with Dad and Becky learned how to insert CIDRs (pronounced "cedars," like the trees). Never in a million years did I image my mom getting this up close and personal with cows we were synchronizing. But she did. And I love her all the more because of it. Congratulations Mary - you have just graduated from City-Slicker High and are ready for Moo U!
