Callie and Kara have been best friends since kindergarten. They finished their school career off with a BANG! Callie was Valedictorian and Kara was Salutatorian. I asked Callie if there ever seemed to be competition between them and she said, “No, we helped each other”. Good job girls!! Please make sure to take that attribute with you the rest of your life! Eliminate competition and replace it with helping each other.
And just like that…it was over.
It started the fall of 1991. It ended on Saturday. The school schedule has controlled what we’ve done, where we we’ve gone, and has been a major piece of the game called life. I’ve been so focused on getting through each day that I never really thought about it being over. Oh, don’t get me wrong – I knew it would one day but that was so far into the future. Well, the future is here.
For 25 years, I have known what duties my job entailed. But that all changed on Saturday. There will be no more peanut butter sandwiches to pack, no more kisses as they grab their backpack and walk out the door, no more waves from the window. Not on a daily basis. And this is what we, as moms want, right? We want our children to grow up as independent adults who can take on their world and make a difference. That’s what I want, too. I’m just not sure what retirement holds for me and that’s a bit scary.
Jamie’s first day of kindergarten.
Jenna started kindergarten in Jordan, MT and was there for 6 weeks before coming home.
Jenna at home. I guess I didn’t get a picture of her first day in Manley.
When people have asked me how I’m doing, I’ve been truthful in answering, “I’m doing okay, but…” And their reply is always pretty similar, “Yes, but now you have grandchildren to take up your time.” I do. But it will be a different “time taker”. I will miss the daily songs, the long hair on the bathroom floor, the extra dishes in the sink and the dirty clothes in the baskets. I will miss the noise that having kids in the house brings.
I guess this is what having an empty nest feels like. And it happened in the blink of an eye. Not really, but it feels like it did. When we leave for harvest in a week or so, my new normal will begin. We’ve never done harvest completely on our own. And when we get back in the fall, Callie will be in college. So, I better soak up the noise and all that having kids here on a daily basis brings because it will soon be a memory.
To all the moms out there who have little people and this day seems like an eternity away, please stop and hug those little guys right now! Enjoy the messes and the spills. Don’t worry about the broken toy or the fact that you can’t see the floor through all the clothes. Enjoy all the good times and the bad that comes with having the greatest job in the world because all too soon, you too will be facing retirement and a new normal.
Taylor’s first day of kindergarten.
Callie’s first day of kindergarten.
I’m proud of the job I did and the adult humans that have evolved from this house. They have assumed their adult responsibilities whole-heartedly and are making a difference in the world. I expect this of Callie, as well. I am confident that all the twists and turns of the last 30 years will produce a beautiful outcome. Even for me.
Congratulations, Callie! The day was perfect. You worked hard for everything you received and I couldn’t be more proud of you! You made everything appear easy to your peers and not many know or understand just how much you have already conquered. The road less traveled is scary. It will mean not having many walking beside you. But the ones who are, will be there with you every step of the way. Keep blazing your own trail and don’t look back. You’re an amazing person and I’m so very lucky to be able to have you call me mom.
We had a beautiful day for graduation…a bit on the windy side…and representation from a few states – Colorado, Iowa, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Wyoming. One of the many blessings associated with harvest and having friends all over the country! Thank you to all of you who came to help us celebrate Callie’s accomplishments! Each of you have been instrumental in molding her into the person she is today. THANK YOU and we love you!
Yep, you are entering a new phase of life and I agree you have prepared your girls well for moving on into adult life.
Tracy,
Being a sentimental guy myself, its hard to read what seems to be pain in the words that you type! Coming from someone who has followed you and your family since 2009, its almost heart breaking to think of the Z Crew not being all together on the harvest trail. It’s even harder to read the words “retirement” and begin to think that one day the Z Crew might not be on the trail at all! I can’t imagine my own summers not including my evening check up on you guys just to see where you are and what progress that you have made. Change certainly is not easy, but I know that God will certainly bless your path moving forward! I can’t tell you how excited I am for the harvest season to kick into gear. Even though I’m from Indiana, I certainly feel like I have the heart of a “Nebraska Wheatie!” And hope that some day, some how, I find a way to join the harvest run and manage to bump in to you along the way lol. Wish you all the best this harvest, and for the many harvests that I hope are still to come! Your such an inspiration to me and many others, keep up all that you do!
Thanks,
Craig
Hi Craig!
Ugh…I owe you an email. I still have the one you sent to me months ago highlighted to answer. I’m so sorry! Thank you for being able to feel my pain through my words. I know it’s supposed to be this way but it still hurts. And it could be so much worse. I know, I get that, too. I just have to face each day as it comes and figure out what’s next and do it in a grand way. I was hoping the time would be filled with an outside job doing what I love to do the very most…telling the story of the custom harvester but that wasn’t to be. I’m still waiting for God to open the doors to fill that void. Your words certainly help push the idea of continuing to write about our adventures. It does my heart good to know there are people who really find this journey something worth following. Retirement…that’s one word I really just don’t understand. I don’t want to really see it in our lives for quite some time. And, yes one day, I’m certain we’ll meet – somewhere, sometime! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me!! They mean a lot.
Oh my, don’t apologize! I certainly I understand, and can tell just by following you through social media, that you keep yourself busy. So I never thought twice that you hadn’t replied. Certainly don’t give up on telling the story of a custom harvester! Just because you may not being doing it the way you envisioned or the way you were a custom to, doesn’t mean that God does not have an even bigger and greater plan for the way in which you tell “your story!” Keep your faith, and he will light the way!
Thank you, Dave!! Any words of wisdom you can share with me about the next stage? 🙂
We are at the early stages of this journey, but I can see how quickly the time moves on. Thank you for the post and congratulations to your daughter!
UGH!!!! That’s all I can say. I don’t think anyone can fully prepare you for that last thing. Any of them. We always remember so many of the “firsts”. Maybe there’s a reason we don’t remember the “lasts” quite so well. I’m trying very hard not to take for granted what each day holds and yet, it still happens. I just can’t bottle everything up like I’d like to. Thank you for leaving your comment and for taking the time out of your busy day!! Blessings to you and your next stage, too.
Loved seeing the pics of Callie’s special day. And will look forward to your thoughts and photos on Harvest 16! May you have safe travels while on the “run” !
I missed this. Sorry, Deb! Guess I wasn’t checking my blog very often at this time. As you can see, we got to TX. Now…let’s get that wheat ready to cut!
You always write what I am thinking and your words flow so well. Not sure I like this empty nest either. It was nice to see all of Callie’s accomplishments and everyone the other evening. Safe travels in the near future as you start your harvest journey. Love reading your blogs.