The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
11-18-2013 column
Words have a special power, especially certain combinations. Three little words whispered together can quicken your pulse, take your breath away and shock you out of a dead sleep….”cows are out!” I guess “I love you” could garner the first two responses but they wouldn’t wake you up. However there are two words more powerful than these that don’t seem to be used enough…”thank you”.
When a new Oscar winner gives their acceptance speech, there is usually a long list of names to thank. We have no idea who these people are but to the winner they are one of the building blocks who helped to support them on their career. I have a very long list of people to thank along my way but I want to give a special shout out to my 4-H Leaders. It has been years since I was a member but I don’t think it is ever too late to say “Thank you”.
These special people gave me the most precious and priceless gifts..their time, interest and attention. I would especially like to thank Betty for the patience and endurance to help me with my ONLY sewing project as sophomore in high school. Some memories are recalled with laser precision…seeing every detail. Other details are hazy yet the feelings still grip my soul. I can still see the blue and white striped sear sucker bib dress with a zipper. Betty not only had the patience of Job to teach me but the wisdom of Solomon to make me model it during the fashion review. A very big feat for such a tomboy! This one project planted seeds of character, poise and composure under pressure that have served me well over the years. The wild thing about this event is that Betty didn’t even realize what a shaping moment this was for me. I didn’t realize it until years later either. Thank you Betty.
When I moved from Illinois to Minnesota for a new broadcasting job, I knew there were three things I needed to do in order to build a solid starting point in my new life as an adult. I needed to find a roommate with a place to live. I needed to find a church home and I needed to call the county Extension Office to volunteer. It was my turn to give back to the program that gave me a career direction and the experiences to grow. It also helped that my new roommate was the Benton County 4-H agent. Oh the people you meet through 4-H.
Rose was a dairy girl from Eyota. Her family farm was the first dairy farm I ever stepped foot on. I don’t remember exactly what it looked like but I remember playing football with her brothers in the yard. A table full of home cooked foods surrounded by family. It felt like home.
The first time I went home with Rose, her folks were testing cows. They were showing me how the milkers went on the cows and how a small portion of the milk went into a special tube for measuring the milk. After watching the first couple of cows do the same thing as the previous cows it was time to go outside and play ball with the boys. When I came back into the barn I asked when they were going to start milking the cows. I assumed to test cows was to see how much milk they gave in a short specific amount of time multiplied by some formula to determine how much milk the cow could give when fully milked. After all the cows were “tested” then I thought it would be time to milk. Cliff and Lea doubled over in laughter at my deductions. It was obvious that I had much to learn about dairying. Patiently Rose and her family began to teach me about dairy farming in Minnesota. Thank you.
Now as my children, those carrying my DNA and those adopted along the way, are graduating from college, 4-H and high school, it is your turn to give back as you head out into the “real” world. The quickest way to feel at home in a new town, county or state is to call the Extension Office because 4-H is 4-H where ever you go.
I’ll let you in on a little secret I discovered as a 4-H volunteer. Yes it is a way of paying back a great program that gave me so much, but it is also a way of paying it forward. I am investing my time, patience and wisdom with you because you will be the ones who will keep things going strong for us. The pride and joy of watching these kids learn, conquer and succeed is a priceless gift. Through them we are young again and can appreciate their steps forward and backwards even more through our eyes of experience.
I just want to say “Thank You”.
-----------------------
As their 4 children pursue dairy careers off the farm, Natalie and Mark are starting a new adventure of milking registered Holsteins just because they like good cows on their Minnesota farm. (Natalie grew up in Stronghurst, the daughter of Becky and the late Larry Dowell.)
----------------------