There ’s a Christian parable regarding wise valet de chambre building their houses on rock and the foolish upon sand . Another one take seeds producing abundantly when planted in prolific ground versus sand or thorns . Likewise , there ’s a child ’s report starring three niggling pigs . Each built a family , but when the big sorry wolf came , only the last picayune hog ’s planetary house made of brick was left standing . While the bloodline of these stories change , their essence is the same : foundation . So many aspect of our life depend on the foundation in which they are built .
As homesteader we value the importance of foundation with all we do . We only found in the mostfertile soils . We feed our livestock sturdy grains andfresh Green . With everything we construct , grow and invoke , our eyes are constantly focused on the future , and therefore , focused on ensuring a square starting time .
But the most important understructure we will ever build is that in our children . Too soon , we will be sending them out into the world armed only with what we have instil in them . When that Clarence Shepard Day Jr. descend , we will find ourselves wondering if we did enough , mind enough , encouraged enough , tame enough . Did we instruct them to become victim of circumstance or embracers of opportunity ?
Last week , I watched my honest-to-goodness son — my “ practice nestling ” if you will — walk across the stagecoach and receive his high school diploma ! For month , our lives have orbit around college applications , fourth-year prom and campus tours . It all seemed very surreal until that minute when his entire class take the air onto the field all dressed in their caps and gowns . I waited impatiently as the speakers gave their congratulation . I tapped my metrical unit as the valedictorian and salutatorian give their advice to their fellow classmates . Then I stood , proudly , screaming at the top of my lungs as my little boy shook his principal ’s hand and find his diploma . And I express mirth as that shaver of mine stopped mid step to take a selfie with his course of instruction in the background knowledge .
I think the day I found out I was fraught with him . I commend his bumper railway car - similar driving in his footer , his first tone , and his niggling aristocratic bunny he could n’t slumber without . I call up the countless time I was so filled with pride and hundreds of way he found to annoy me . I remember them all like they were yesterday because they were , in my mind at least .
Like most mothers , I also recall every misunderstanding I ever made . I flummox myself up at every raised voice , every “ in a minute ” that never came , and every time I fell under life ’s loading . I shudder at the thought that he may remember them all , as well . Did I apologize when I should have ? Did I make up for time not give freely ? Did he see me get up after every stumble ? Did I build his base on the shifting sand or on unyielding rock candy ?
It is because of our children that my husband and I started thishomesteading adventure . We knew in doing so we would be forego many of the extravagancies other families have . We know the hours would be long and the piece of work would be back - break , but they , our little ones , were deserving it . We recognize we need them to always have a household to make out back to , fill with stories they could assure their own kids . We knew we would face many challenges , but we would overcome them together as a family . We knew there is no keen foundation than the one build up together through faith , shite and sweat .
In a few short months , my fiddling boy will leave the homestead and begin a new chapter in his life . While I am excited for him and all the theory waiting out there for him , I am sorry to see him leave . But , when he retort full of chronicle and new adventures , he will be greeted by the chicken he raise . He will be shade by the fruit trees he planted . He will walk the paths he helped produce . He will eat from the gardens he helped plant . And he will know he is house .
To Spencer , with all my love ! I am so proud you !
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