16 Jul Laura: Fourth of July

Southeast Colorado: Its hard to believe that a week has passed since I was sitting on a driveway in southeast Colorado celebrating the Fourth of July on a beautiful summer evening. My children, especially Little Man who is old enough to really get the festivities, had been looking forward to the holiday since the last shell exploded in the city show last year. The evening was made of everything that little firecrackers could hope for like new friends, ice cream, catching toads, sparklers, smoke bombs, fountains, adventures and a misadventure we’re all still laughing about. The community show was a great cap to the evening.

These are the things about being on the road that make me smile. It was pure joy hearing all the laughter of six kiddos who became fast friends. Small town fun. The innocence of a childhood summer. Mom-to-mom conversation. The meaning of why we celebrate. And it all couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.

At some point during the season, the stress and responsibility of the business can take its toll. Mix in the isolation that is sometimes felt on the road, a dash of ambiguity and limited family time and I will say the combination isn’t a positive concoction. However, I’ve always been amazed that even in the stress, God can present a silver lining at just the right time and life becomes a little more manageable once again. And that’s exactly what this time spent with our farm family was last week. A timely blessing in a hectic period, and for that I’m grateful.

The kids and I started morning of the Fourth with a parts run!

Brats and cheesy potatoes were some of the menu items lunch!

Bailed out by the grocery bakery once again when we swung through after getting parts. They looked nice and festive for the day!

Can’t wait to get this one on my wall! They loved those flags!

John Deere’s harvest support staff makes field calls on the Fourth. We always appreciate their support when needed.

Decorated with a flag for the holiday, this combine has the 4th spirit!

The trucks where Ryan was cutting got festive too! Our family was split for the holiday, but that’s how it works. When its time to cut, its time to cut. Thanks to all the harvest support staff that stayed open late on the holiday so everyone involved in harvest could keep on.

Fountains were a hit with the children.

Grand finale!

All Aboard Wheat Harvest is sponsored by High Plains Journal and John Deere. Laura Haffner can be reached at laura@allaboardharvest.com.