being frank

In an article I posted last year, I wrote about Easter being a time of renewal and rebirth. That beyond the religious overtones of the holiday, it was an opportunity to celebrate nature; to take the time to see the magic of renewal that flourishes all around us. But I also noted that we kept focusing on life from a standpoint of repression or neglect. So this Easter, I stepped away from the noise, the arguments and the endless churn of opinion, and went looking for something quieter.

I decided to take a leisurely walk around the farm.

A farm is a fascinating microcosm of the world’s ecosystem. From the ordinary to the magnificent, a farm is brimming with life. During this time of year when Spring is rising from the detritus of last year’s fallen remnants, nature gathers its cues from the sun, rain, the winds and even the cycles of the moon in order to begin a new phase of existence.

Foragers begin the mad dash to reclaim their buried treasure located everywhere. Whether it’s under the seat of a tractor, in an improbable burrow, a manure pile or in tree crotches, you’ll be entertained watching these dedicated creatures rushing about to secure their foodstuff to help nourish themselves as they prepare to start a family.

A farm provides a wealth of sensory experiences. The scent of spring rain on freshly cut grass. Lavender beginning to wake. Mint pushing through the soil. The smell of composted manure brings to mind a rich earthy soil, signaling a perfect time for planting. The impressive red sunsets as sunlight blends with Spring’s atmospheric changes to create a stunning canvas of light. The early bursts of color from daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops as they begin to dot the landscape seemingly everywhere. The knocking sounds of the woodpeckers, the nesting calls of the mourning doves, and the sharp cries of the bluejays ring through the air as they rush to find food and nesting materials. Squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks start making the rounds, and if you’re lucky you can hear their chittering as they run about the bushes and trees. For some, these events cause the mind to begin dreaming of the early harvests for berries, citrus fruits or apricots.

Deer begin to make their way from the nearby wooded patches on the property, no doubt to collect some of the apple wedges and seeds left outside for them to enjoy. The sight of these beautiful creatures reminds me of nature’s continuity; the essence of innocence and the enduring wisdom of play as an integral part of life. Cows off in the distance are enjoying the sweet treat of the early Spring grass. When Charlie was alive, he would go out in the morning to savor the new grass covered in dew while wearing a grazing muzzle to avoid the temptation of gluttony.

Final Thoughts

So why bring up this walk around the farm on the eve of Easter? Because regardless of whether you raise animals, crops, or wish to live there simply to raise a greater awareness of self, a farm is a place of commitment, dedication, sacrifice and endless learning. It’s where you can escape the glare of technology’s lifeless screens, tune out the endless droning of opportunistic news feeds and chattering influencers, or politicians moving across the landscape with all the bluster and urgency to which we’ve become accustomed.

A farm is one of the last vital sanctuaries of nature where people are neither dwellers nor demigods, but rather simple stewards who’ve chosen to watch over a parcel of land and all of its inherent gifts. It’s one of the last open air classrooms where life still teaches us without a need for translation. For within these properties you learn the importance of discipline, hard work and collaboration. You grow to understand that symbiosis is not a strange term but rather a foregone conclusion for the survival of humanity. A farm teaches you respect, humility, patience, kindness, humor and hope. It reminds you that food comes from the earth and not exclusively from a supermarket distribution chain.

A farm is a place where you learn to appreciate nature; the sacrifices it makes for you, and the enduring cycle of life, death and renewal that touches every part of it. A farm is the very epitome of Easter. It symbolizes the miracle of resurrection and the irreplaceable nature of hope, faith and the value of a bountiful spirit. A farm reminds us that the wages of sin are paid for by the consequences of apathy. For as the body starves when care isn’t given to the land, so does the soul starve when devoid of love and compassion that is due to one another from one another.

It was a wonderful walk; a restorative stroll. It reminded me of the incredible miracles that grace every patch of earth, and how all of us will be a part of it when our journey through life reaches its moment of renewal. That is the essence of nature and perhaps, the quiet, enduring message of Easter.