Passions of an Odd Chick

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Sacred Ground
















I know that if you've followed this blog very long that you have heard me talk
about my Sweet Farmer. I also am aware that I speak of him as if he is the Prince of Persia. (It's actually quite embarrassing to him sometimes).

He is no myth. He's a real life man with struggles and weaknesses as any man. But to me- well,
he really is somewhat of a gentle giant of a man. Not just to me but to my grown children, and my grandsons.

He came along at a time when we were all hopelessly floundering. I was several years out of a tangled and complex marriage of 19 years that had been, for the most part, painful and wounding. I was one of those silly girls that thought I was doing the right thing by staying. Perservering. Faithful to a fault. It all feels now like a bad car-wreck of which my children and I spent years recovering. We would have made it. Without him. But I'm so glad we didn't.

He didn't exactly save us. But there WAS something very redeeming about him. I did dream of this man as a little girl- the prince you want to marry, the good man, the kind man, the generous man, handsome, tall, good-looking. The one that loves your children and plays with your grandchildren. He saved the dream.

Today he's working on a little piece of land in front of the house. It is as close to a Zen garden as I will ever know.It has that tone and feel today- that peaceful, languishing, tended tone.
He has carefully tilled around these pecan trees, and then leveled it perfectly so that he can flood irrigate it with no water waste. I step out on my front porch and watch him work.

I realize why watching him satisfies something deep in me. He cares for the land like he cares for his family and for his animals - with a tenderness, and careful hand, with a studied observation, and a natural hunger to make all things better by his efforts.


And I am part of this garden now that I view from my front porch. I have been carefully loved and tended and  I have rooted like these trees that prosper and produce healthy crops year after year.
He floods it later and is proud of the fact that not a trail of water leaks from his leveled plain. He wants me to take a picture. 
I'm a little proud too that for now this carefully tended acre is full to almost overflowing, like my heart and my admiration for this simple, loving, sweet, sweet farmer. (now you know)
Someday, our ashes will be spread on this piece of land. I know its not a fancy place. It's a small part of the farm that happens to be my front porch view. But it represents a sacred place to us where love was grown, tilled, worked and tended. Cared for very, very well.

17 comments:

GlorV1 said...

Excellent love filled post. Thanks for sharing your happiness.;)

Poetic Artist said...

Blessing do come to those who believe in dreams.. My friend I am so happy to know true love does exist in this world. You more than deserve this kind of love.
Hugs,
Katelen

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

That has got to be the mostvmoving and honest tribute to love and a good man that I have ever read. Beautifully said, wonderfully lived.

Poetic Artist said...

It is me again..I just had to ask the photo is wonderful..Did you use photo shop? The colors are wonderful..

Kay said...

what a lovely post

Rebecca Anthony said...

This is absolutely beautiful on every level! Thanks for sharing the beauty of your life from so deep down in your soul!

Jennifer Richardson said...

Too moved for words right now.
Must return to read again and again.
Altogether beautiful.
Tears.
Deep sigh.
-Jennifer

Odd Chick said...

Thanks everyone for your comments. They mean so much to me, especially when I expose the soft, sacred places of my heart.
Katelen, - all these photos were brought into Photoshop Elements 8, and auto-edited because I haven't really learned how to do anything else. But I have a manual now that I'm working through.

Odd Chick said...

Correction: the photo of Sweet Farmer from the back was enhanced in Flickr.

DJ said...

Just a sacred feeling with tears brimming...

Steve Emery said...

What a gorgeous, moving post. And with this note you've struck here I will sign off the computer for the night, because I can't imagine I am going to find anything better if I look all night.

Ernie Hendrix said...

What a powerful testiment to the magic of a love well tended. And as you know, marriage does need tending to for it to prosper and becomes the space that you and Sweet Farmer now occupy. God has blessed you both and will continue to do so. Your happiness makes me feel happier. Thanks for sharing it.

Ernie

danielle daniel said...

You gave me goosebumps again! So happy you have found a true partner in life. I LOVE reading about LOVE. That garden to going to be AMAZING!!! sniff sniff...xox

Vikki North said...

You're very blessed and lucky, sweet girl.

cottonpicker said...

I'm kinda biased...but he is pretty special!

Mary said...

well heck, does it get any better than this??? :)

what a beautiful love story!

May the love continue to overflow in abundance.

Peace.

Judy Wise said...

We have much in common ...

I am so happy that you have found a good place in life and a good man to love.

xo