I never anticipated that I would be a stay at home mom on the farm. When I was little, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to be, but all I knew was that I wanted to wear a suit to work when I grew up. I’m not sure where I got this idea from. None of the women in my life wore “suits” to work. Most of the women in my life were also full time at home, dedicating their lives to their families on the farm. The only thing I knew was that I wanted differently than what I saw before me.
I grew up on a grain and beef farm. Myself and my siblings were involved in all aspects of the operation and were expected to help out wherever we could. I participated in 4-H Beef from the ages of 9-21. Any sort of down time was also linked to the farm whether it was riding horses to check cattle or perhaps the local fair and cattle show.
As I ventured out on my own, I wanted to be involved in agriculture in some aspect. I knew that we all needed agriculture every day in our lives and in every part of the world. I wanted to keep my options open for travel and knew that every country would need some sort of agriculture industry for food production. I enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan and received my degree with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture; majoring in Agribusiness with a minor in Entrepreneurship.
As life goes, I met my husband in university. We got married and settled down near his home in small town Saskatchewan. I focused on my career in the agriculture industry and he focused his efforts on the farm he grew up on.
A few years ago, my world was turned upside down. Life prior to that seemed perfect. I had a great career in the agriculture industry, we had moved to the family farm, renovated the house into our dream home, and we had completed our family with our third child, a beautiful baby girl. At 5.5 months old, my daughter experienced her first of many, many seizures. It was the start of what will be a lifelong journey with a severe from of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome.
I gave up my corporate career to care for my daughter. Life isolated on the farm can feel lonely. Add in a special needs child, and that feeling goes ten fold. With our lives completely flipped upside down, and our hearts torn to shreds, I began my journey to find happiness and healing. I found that answer right here on the farm.
It may have taken a few years, but I’ve learned to embrace the quiet lifestyle that is the farm. A big part of that has been bringing home our Babydoll flock. The ability to calm and surrender your need for control can be found as you watch the sheep slowly graze. And the birth of lambs every spring makes me believe that miracles really do exist. The farm is a special place that reminds me that although life can be painful and messy, it is also incredibly beautiful and there will always be good that can be found.