If I Leave Here Tomorrow...

I'm probably not supposed to say that the global pandemic has been a good thing, but there's definitely been some positive aspects for the farm. It's been great to have the kids here full time and not have to ferry them to different places. They've been able to get involved in the farm much more than they normally are this time of year. Of course they would probably say the shutdown has been terrible because they've been able to get involved in the farm much more than they normally are this time of year.

Our oldest, who was scheduled to have his graduation ceremony on Friday spent today bushhogging a field instead of enjoying his last week of High School. Not that there isn't joy in tractor work; it's just that he'll have plenty of opportunity to drive a tractor in circles but won't ever be able to have his last week of High School, so I can understand how he might not appreciate having to be here. But if this pandemic has given us anything it's maybe an opportunity to focus on what things are really important. Time with family, especially our kids, is like that last week of High School. It only comes once and if we miss it, we can't get it back.

So of course what better way to spend a birthday than traveling to see the Lynyrd Skynryd crash site memorial. Now I should say that it's only twenty miles away from us and we had a bit of free time so we didn't have to make a huge trip. But the visit reinforced how short time is and can be, and encouraged me to be a little more deliberate about how I spend it. So there you go. Philosophy from the "Three Guitar Army."

So if anyone is looking for something to do during the quarantine, I know of a place that isn't closed, is outdoors, practices social distancing by default and has the opportunity to give your family a unique perspective. And the Lynyrd Skynyrd memorial is only twenty miles away from it…