My parents were married for almost four years before I made my appearance into their lives. At the time my mom was working as a chemist and dad of course was on the farm. After I was born mom decided she wanted to become a science teacher so she could have more time at home with me. Dad agreed it was a good idea and so she went back to school when I was about eight months old. While she was in school they had to rely on dad's income since mom couldn't work and be a full time student at Wichita State University. While mom was working I spent most days at the babysitters house, but when mom started going back to school I got sent to the farm with dad more often than I got sent to the babysitters.
I was basically carted around everywhere and with almost everyone. There are pictures of me riding on horses with dad, sleeping in the cab of tractors, and basically just being a dirty farm baby. I have a few memories of my toddler years out on the farm. There's a story that's told about how I tried to pet the beef cows from the truck window and they all ran away from me. I got upset that they wouldn't let me pet them like our dairy cows do, so I cried until dad took me back to the barn and I played with one of the dairy babies. I also liked to chew on the cubes that we feed the cows. It was my version of a pacifier. At least that's what dad likes to tell me.
My mother finished her schooling after one year and then she started teaching full time. This meant I went back to the babysitters during the week and then I normally ended up at the farm on the weekends. When we were younger my mom was more involved with the farm so we all spent more time out there together. Once both of my sisters made their appearances I had started school and they were at a babysitters house full time during the week. Neither of them got to spend as much time being carted around the farm as I did. That could be why I have such a love of the farm, but who knows.
The memories I do have are very precious to me. My grandfather died when I was 12 so I didn't really have too many years with him. He was one person that got to cart me around though. I remember being in the tractor with him while he was planting and also in the combine during harvest. Once when we were filling up the bins with corn I actually decided I wanted to ride in the back of the truck on top of the corn. We were only going about a quarter of a mile down the road, so they let me do it. I thought it was the best thing ever.
My sisters and I started officially working on the farm during my freshman year of high school. I was 14 and I had a farmer's permit which meant I could drive. And me driving meant that we were going to be helping out at the farm more. We started milking every Saturday morning and Sunday night. I would milk the cows while Aadrian and Brenda would feed the calves. Once they were done feeding the babies they would help me finish up. The farm was my first job making my own money. It was the first job for all three of us. Since I was the oldest it was my responsibility to get everyone up and ready for the two milkings we were doing. Mom said it wasn't her job and she wanted to sleep in on her Saturday's. I have to tell you though that waking up Aadrian and Brenda was no joke. They were both heavy sleepers and Aadrian has never been a morning person. There were some mornings that all we did was yell and scream at each other because they were so grumpy and grouchy that I woke them up. Somehow we managed to get the job done without killing each other.
Since I am the oldest I have always been expected to take on more. I was the built in babysitter, the driver, and the errand runner. I never minded doing all of those things, but I do realize that there is a big difference in what was expected out of me versus my two little sisters. This led to me being more mature at a younger age and also understanding what responsibility is. Being responsible is something that anyone who has ever hired me can tell you I am. Even though I grew up a little faster than my sisters I am thankful for the lessons that it taught me. Going through life being known as a responsible and reliable person is never a bad thing and I have my upbringing to thank for that.
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