Farm Days: Visiting My Parents with Walter

This past week, the baby and I spent time at my parents’ farm—being there offers something I don’t realize I need so much until I receive it: a break.

Being a mom now is such a blessing but some days it can really wear you down.

At the farm I didn’t have to think about what to make for dinner. I didn’t have to keep up with laundry or sweep floors or juggle nap time with the dishes. My mom fed me wonderful meals, my dad fixed my coffee for me and I was free to just be a mom—without also being the housekeeper, chef, and manager of everything.

The summer heat kept us mostly inside, but we did manage to spend breakfast in the barn with the horses a few days and fed the chickens some bread crumbs. Friends came by to visit, which filled my cup in a different way—grown-up conversation, laughter, and the joy of introducing my baby to people who already love him.

One of the most meaningful parts of the week was getting to sit in church and watch my brother preach. Something about being surrounded by family, watching him step into his calling, seeing my husband holding my sleeping baby while the Word was being shared—that was special. It reminded me how rich these simple moments are.

Sometimes, the best gift you can give yourself in motherhood is letting someone else help. And this week, that gift came wrapped in quiet moments, The Waltons on the TV, and warm meals I didn’t have to cook.