Growing up on a farm, I didn't think twice about always helping out with work outside or raising animals. It was just what we did. Now, looking back, I realize how much I learned from living on a farm- understanding and appreciating nature, loving animals, being responsible, and working hard. These are a number of the biggest lessons learned growing up on a farm that come around to help you later in life.
1. You've experienced life.
I've seen it all. As a little kid, I witnessed sheep giving birth to lambs that were able to stand up within a couple minutes. I watched kittens nurse from their mom and chicks peeking out from beneath their mother hen on the nest, keeping them warm.
2. And you've experienced death.
At the same time as I saw animals being born, I experienced the times when a runt lamb wouldn't be accepted by its mother, or a chicken or cat that had reached old age pass away. I held a kitten as it grew weaker and weaker, learning the vicious ways of Mother Nature at a young age. It might seem rough looking back, but seeing life and death happen so young helped me to understand and accept it.
3. You've been responsible for the life of another.
The lambs whose mothers died, we bottle fed; we became their mother. I've fed animals, been the one helping to keep them alive, and because of that, have learned responsibility. When the life of another is dependent on you, you understand the importance you can be to another living being.
4. And you've loved.
SO MANY KITTENS. And never enough.
5. You've spent a lot of time outside.
Having a huge backyard meant always have places to play and places to explore. I'm thankful for my childhood spent outdoors instead of in front of a TV.
6. And you've worked hard.
Living on a farm takes a lot of work. There's animals to be fed, eggs to be collected, buildings to be painted, cleaning to be done, vegetables and fruit to be grown, and wash to be hung out on the clothesline. My family was always out working together to get everything done.
7. And you know how to cook a home-cooked meal.
Living on a farm means you always eat fresh food, not frozen meals or take-out. Just like helping out outside, I learned early on how to bake the best pies from scratch and cook homemade meals.
8. You know how to take care of plants.
Between having a huge garden and beautiful flowers all around the yard, someone always has to be watering the plants and taking care of them.
9. And you only eat fresh fruits and vegetables in season.
Having a garden means you understand when each fruit or vegetable is in season. And you only eat your fresh fruits and for the winter months, you freeze or can your own fruits and vegetables.
10. You have a close-knit family.
Lots of time spent together to work and raise animals means you get close. I'm thankful for not only a great childhood that helps me throughout my life, but also a close family that I can always depend on.
