Dad,

It is not really hard for your actions to speak louder than your words because you like most farmers I know don't really speak at all. You are a quiet man when you aren't yelling at broken down machinery or stubborn cattle. I want you to know that I do love to listen to your stories and I love our late night conversations. More than that I want you to know that I see you.

I see when you leave early in the morning and don't return until late at night. I see you kneeling in the driveway, fixing the combine for the 1000th time. I watch you trudge through all types of weather to feed cattle. I notice the dirt under your nails and mud on your boots.I watch you work harder than anyone I know.

I watch when the farm breaks your heart. I'm there peeking through the fence when you lose that calf. I watch you shake your head, take a deep breath and then continue to help the next calf. Many nights I have laid in bed listening to a hail storm, knowing that you are upstairs watching Mother Nature unforgivingly destroying your hard work. You have never said that farming is too hard, but I know sometimes it can be.

I am there when farming brings you joy. I know riding in the combine reminds you of your own father. I see you laugh when teaching my siblings how to run the tractor. I watch your relief when you get a good load of hay out of the field. I see your pride when you check your cattle. I know that spoiling your cattle is sometimes the best part of your day.

I watch you go to church, bow your head, and thank God for the good and the bad.

Just know your hard work and trials do not go unnoticed. Your actions have taught me patience, kindness, joy, endurance, love and many more things. Don't forget that I see you.

Love,

Your Daughter