I'm Just a Farmer....

This week, I attended the wake of a local retired farmer who died in a very tragic car accident.  He was a military veteran, a husband, the father of four, grandfather and so much more.  I grew up with his daughter and used to spend the night at their house.

He and his wife were on their way to the airport for a vacation when their car slid under a semi trailer.  Not only was he killed, but his wife was seriously injured and is currently recovering.  I was amazed by her strength at the wake.  With bruises covering her face, a broken jaw, and 50 stitches in her head, she stood greeting visitors with humility and grace.  They were to celebrate 50 years of marriage this coming summer.

Inside the memorial card was this poem......

I'm Just a Farmer, Plain and Simple
By Bobby Collier

I'm just a farmer, plain and simple.
Not of royal birth, but rather a worker of the earth.
I know not of riches, but rather of patches on my britches.

I'm just a farmer, plain and simple.
I know of drought and rain, of pleasure and pain.
I know the good, the bad, the happy and the sad.

I'm a man of emotions.
A man who loves this land and the beauty of its sand.
I'm just a farmer, plain and simple.

I know the spring's fresh flow and autumn's golden glow.
Of a new born calf's hesitation and an eagle's destination.
I'm just a farmer, plain and simple.

I know of tall pines and long waiting lines.
I know the warmth of campfires and the agony of flat tires.
I'm just a farmer, plain and simple.

I'm a man who loves his job.
And the life that I live.
I'm just a farmer, plain and simple.

And I'm a reaper of harvest.
I'm the sower of seeds and I'm the tender of stock.
I'm just a farmer, plain and simple.

I know of planting corn and bailing hay and animals going astray.
I live in a complex world, but my faith guides me.
I'm just a farmer, plain and simple.

I am a man who works with God.
I cannot succeed without his help.
For you see, I'm just a farmer, plain and simple.


I find this so true.  We are just farmers, who work with God and cannot succeed without his help.  I get choked up just thinking about it as I'm reminded of my late grandfather, my dad, and my husband.  So many generations of men in my life who've worked this land, providing for their families.