Once a Wheatie, Always a Wheatie: One Woman’s Journey Through Life’s Changing Seasons

The Best Thing About Winter is Spring

I’ve always said the best thing about winter is spring. It’s my favorite of the four seasons, hands down.

The long, dark, cold days of winter finally loosen their grip and allow the first colors of spring to pop through the ground. Around my house, that’s usually the crocus. I’ve seen those persistent little devils poke right up through the snow- just when I need it the most.

Once that first sign of spring shows, I know I can make it through any final cold, dreary day the Eastern Nebraska winter throws at me.

A New Meaning to “Season”

The word “season” holds a completely different meaning to me now.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…”

Ecclesiates 3:1

I’m certain a few of you just started humming The Byrds’ song Turn! Turn! Turn! right? If not, you’re probably too young to remember it.

This scripture speaks of a time to do this and a time for that. And now, I’m at an age where I finally understand what those words are really telling us.

Finding Purpose in Each Season of Life

Our lives are built on living. Our days are filled with whatever we’re going through at the moment. Some days are so full that it feels like we can hardly breathe —and then we do. We get through it. And we move on to the next season.

Lately, I find myself wondering: how did so much time and so much life already happen?

I celebrated my 63rd birthday in January. I’m still trying to figure out what season of life I’m currently in. Somewhere between late fall and early winter, I think.

Most of us have heard the saying, “Time goes faster as we get older,” or “It’s gone in the blink of an eye.” Yes- that’s exactly the season I’m in.

The Journey I Didn’t Plan

I often think back to my early days as a young bride. I had so many ideas and dreams, so many plans for what life would hold.

And then- those plans changed. The road I thought I was on took a sharp turn in a completely different direction. God had other plans.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d end up as a custom harvester. Sure, I married the hired man- but buying a combine and following in the footsteps of my grandparents? That was never the plan.

Becoming a Storyteller on the Harvest Trail

I’ve always been a storyteller. Since I was a little girl, I’ve dreamed of writing a book. The problem? I have no clue how to start a book. But I can tell a story- through pictures, video or words.

So that’s what I’ve done since we began this harvesting journey.

I carried a video camera on my shoulder longer than I probably should have. You know the kind (or maybe you don’t)- big, bulky, and heavier than you’d like. Eventually the cameras got smaller and easier to carry, but i never stopped recording.

And through every season of life, I just kept writing. Not a book, but something even better.

Harvest, Purpose, and Letting Go

As a custom harvester, I got to experience a deep love for agriculture- but only during harvest. I can’t imagine the even deeper love farmers and ranchers feel, living it day in and day out, year after year. I envy that.

But that chapter of my life has closed.

The combine and support equipment are sold. The days of chasing the wheat harvest from south to north are over. No more diesel-scented morning, long dusty evening, or the wild rhythm of life on the road.

And that’s been a hard pill to swallow.

Raising Daughters and Discovering New Purpose

Raising a family, teaching our four daughters to be strong, independent, responsible women, was my purpose for a long time. God gave those four amazing girls to love and raise with all the heart I had.

Those days were hard, but every second was worth it.

When each of them left home, I knew they’d be okay. What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would hurt when they walked out that door. They came back, of course, but it was never quite the same.

For a while, I felt like I’d lost my purpose.

Then harvest filled the gap. It gave me something to pour my heart into again. I’m not even sure why I loved it so much, but the desire to tell the story of how we put bread on the table never left me.

Once again, I had a purpose.

Entering a New Season-Still Telling the Story

Now, life has changed again. I’m in a new season. I’m still figuring out what it looks like and where I fit in this crazy world.

But I’m still telling the story- anyway I can. Sometimes, it’s through sharing memories of raising those girls. Sometimes, it’s remembering what it felt like to bounce across a wheat field in a combine. And sometimes, it’s just reflecting on what it meant to be a custom harvester.

Once Wheatie…. ALWAYS a Wheatie.