Mother's Inspiration « Back

Many will debate that being a mom is the toughest job out there; I’ll second that, only I would call being a dairy farm mom the toughest job! Many days are spent juggling household chores, cooking for the farm, farm book work, helping out in kids’ classrooms, taking kids to lessons—not to mention, trying to take care of myself—working out, eating healthy, reading up on the latest news—and more. The days are long, the job is tough. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, though.

My inspiration comes easily from my own mother. Perhaps the cookie-cutter lifestyle that I mimic is why she is and always has been a true mentor to me. She is my sounding board, my confidante, my cheerleader and my friend. For that, I’m incredibly thankful.

She was raised with a much different lifestyle than the one she grew accustomed to and the only life I’ve known. She was a military brat, an Admiral’s daughter and didn’t want for much in life. Her life changed in spades when she married my father and became a farmer’s wife—a life in retrospect, she too, wouldn’t change for anything.

I’m thankful that I have a role model that taught me how to be tough to deal with life’s difficulties, and unexpected turns and twists. When I think of how challenging it is to raise three children, with a husband who clocks in more hours than I dare to report; I think of my own mother—and often question how she did it with six children.

I love how my personal and work successes have become my mother’s. She is proud that way. From giving birth to my children, to the farm’s success with cows’ performance and production—my mother is always cheering and bragging to the neighbors of how well her family is doing. It makes me feel good.

So, I often think of my mother, especially now that I’m a new mother again, with two ‘older’ kids that keep me busy taking them to swim lessons, practicing with their show heifers for the county fair and helping with farm work in any way I can. When life seems to get overwhelming, I call my mom and she always reminds me that I’m doing a thankless job, but the reward is the immeasurable daily satisfaction that comes in pint sizes and makes my heart burst.

Thank you mom!