I checked the evening news and heard a politician say, “He’s just a farmer out there, sitting on his bale of hay.”
I took exception to the politician’s choice of words. And wondered did he have a clue? He sounded so absurd.
The man that he was funning might not be the world’s charmer. But I’d appreciate a different tone when saying, “Just a farmer.”
‘Cuz ‘just a farmer’ raised me up since I was mere a boy. He taught me how to show respect and never to annoy.
‘Just a farmer,’ where I’m from, grows food to feed us all. At night he’ll be home on his knees, asking for rainfall.
When you’re frying eggs and bacon after climbing out of bed, remember ‘just a farmer’ helps to keep your children fed.
It doesn’t matter what you’re eating, any time of day. The food that’s on your plate is how the farmer gets his pay.
He prays his harvest pays the bills, a hefty year’s price tag. If he makes some extra cash, he’ll accept it without brag.
‘Just a farmer’ won’t sleep in. He’s up before first ray. Nine to five to him is only working half a day.
You’ll see him baling hay at night. He burns the midnight oil. ‘Just a farmer’ is the sole caretaker of his soil.
He’s learned to grow his crops. Been educated through the years. He takes the good years and the bad with smiles and sometimes tears.
‘Just a farmer’ dairyman keeps moo juice on the flow, so you can have a glass of milk to dip your Oreo.
Let’s not forget ice cream. To go without, it sure would bite. Let’s thank the farmer for the Rocky Road we eat at night.
The ‘just a farmer’ that I know is quiet and reserved. He’ll always pass to someone else the credit he deserved.
So, when you’re talking farmer, show respect that’s way past due. ‘Cuz if it weren’t for farmers, you’d be missing a meal or two.
