As a farmer you are in the fields at a mere four hours after midnight caring for livestock, fields and no less for your own farmhands. As a farmer you are used to being alone for many hours in the day and in the night. You are composed, at peace with yourself as you give your best efforts to all your activities, turning from the men to the horses that are your transport, and your greatest companions. Your philosophy is kept hidden.
But values are not hidden. The witchdoctor who sees so much and appears to know even more arrives from time to time to reveal where the rusticated cattle is hidden. He knows you treat everyone fairly, honestly and will allow no harm to any man or animal. This is his way of showing gratitude and also his manner of controlling his sometimes unruly people.
The farmer’s wife turns her interests to her share of the livestock for which she is responsible. She has learned to tell every creature apart from its fellows, where you and I could not. She is also responsible for ensuring the meals are nourishing and sustaining while her house is cared for in its own necessities. Any free time she sits and crochets her cloths, doilies, and antimacassars as she is fully aware of the need for the avoidance of any extra unnecessary work.
Those days, those values are not gone from us now, they are secure from prying eyes and they ensure we have food on our tables. Their sacrifices still carry on so we should ensure our gratitude is shown in a manner to encourage them by preventing any interests that would undermine our farming communities. We are alive, alive to responsibility, and holding all accountable for not looking after the regions nor the planet which contains our only life here.
Gayle Frances Larkin 