It's Official, But...........

Closed on this farm this morning. Everything moved slick as clockwork, however we feel as though we have just returned from a funeral.

I've known this lady all her life and it was more than obvious that she did not want to sell "her uncle's farm", as it has been in the family "since forever". She said it was the hardest thing she has ever had to do.

It was hard for us to watch her go thru this torment. We are happy, but at the same time we are very much aware of this woman's pain. :>(

Allan

The lady doesn't need to worry. That land is still in good hands. Enjoy!

John

Our lives are similar, yet different. I know you lost your farm, and that's a killer. But I know that you're gonna renew yourself by trying all over again.

As a kid, I lost my father at about ten. Have a mother, 3 sisters, and a brother. We lost the farm too. Mom couldn't do it, brothers and sisters were too young, and just so much the neighbors can do. The buyers of that farm were happy, yet sad at my mother's anguish. But what had to be, had to be. Life isn't always fair, you either pickup the pieces and move on, or you let yourself die. None of us died, and it appears that you have not either, nor will your neighbor/friend, whom will get a chance to see the old place prosper. It isn't always easy.

I sold my place in Illinois (still work there), bought a small farm in Bristol, talked my Mom into selling her place, and moving in, along with one of my sisters, whom lived with (kind of helps MOM) her. All I ask is, take care of my lab when I'm in Illinois late Sunday night through Friday nights when I get home, and don't touch the tractors or anything that'll get anyone hurt. My sister can touch or mow with the AC-B, but don't get near the others - I don't wanna get a phone call in Illinois that my sister ended up under 7 tons of red or green.

The best part about it Allan, when I get home my Mom tells me how she sat on the deck, drinking a cup of coffee, watching deer and rabbits and stuff out in the fields. Of course, I go get a shotgun and tell her if she sees deers out eating corn or beans, she's supposed to shoot them, not watch them do it. But I do it as a joke. It's renewed her life. It's my turn to take care of her. She smiles for the most part, and that aint a bad thing buddy.

Mark

Just sittin' around and waitin' to die wasn't in my gameplan. :>)

But oh my Lawd, the work I've created for myself this time! Groan!

Allan

As we have been here four years now alot has changed. The farm is starting to come together, we may have our first harvest this fall. But the biggest thing is the exceptance from this community. It is ammasing how many people felt connected to this place.They are happy we have brought it back and made it a productive farm again. I get stories from oldtimers and teenagers telling me what they used to do on my place. In some way I feal I am farming as much for them as for me.
I've also made some very good friends here. Without them I often wonder if I would have been able to get this far. The saddest part is that I'm just starting out my farm, and they are all retiring.

Good luck with your endevers Allen. Keep posting updates, it is always interesting reading about your days.

Grant

I bought a house once that was part of an estate. Lady's family could not afford to keep the house, and they had their own homes, etc. The son of the lady would drop by now and then. Sad look in his eyes at first, but as years went by and I did many improvements to the property, he became more and more glad that I bought it and cared for it.

One thing that might help, Allan....is to make or give some kind of "souvenier" for the lady. In other words, if you tear down a building, or cut down a tree or whatever, make something she could use (say a birdfeeder, or what have you) out of the leavings so that she can always have a part of the farm. It will help you both feel better.

Congratulations on the purchase ol' buddy!
Take a few hours tonight and head up there with the missus and have a picnic. Bask in the joy of your accomplishment. You have worked long and hard for this, and taken your lumps. You could have easily given up on the dream, and settled into life after farming, but you seized the opportunity. I know you felt guilt and sorrow when you had to quit farming earlier in your life, and that is normal. But now you can finally shed those feelings, and pour your heart into this new patch of grass. I am sure that with continued perserverance, everything will work out very well for you.
All my best to you & yours.
Brian

and on a somewhat lighter note..... .

WHOOOOO OOHOOOOO OOOO!!!!! !!!!

Also, the sellers were emptying out the old house, which they had been using for storage for a number of years and the lady seemed in better spirts tonight and resolved to the fact that the farm is sold. So, we feel a little better about the whole deal anyway.

Allan

Oh yea , you really need one of those DARK GREEN tractors there just so the red ones will have a little competition, keeps them running better that way...LMAO!