Today we woke to a beautiful December day with the sun shining, warming the truck as we headed north to our farm where our cows live. That farm is 45 minutes from the farm where we rest our heads at night. This is a peaceful drive that takes us through four very small towns and miles of farm land. The trip offers us an ideal time to laugh, sing, catch up on conversations and keep track of our neighbors' crops and herds.
It is refreshing how people in this rural area wave to each other. It doesn't matter whether they are in a vehicle, on a tractor or standing in their field; most people take the time to acknowledge our presence as we roll down the road.
While living in St. Louis, having traveled to most of the major cities in the US and several Internationally, I found "The Wave" is nearly obsolete in cities. In fact it seems that putting on their blinders as part of their daily uniform is as common as putting on their shoes. If blinders are properly secured they will prevent people from feeling required to greet or acknowledge every person that they see. I was first a country girl who later in life became a city dweller. Initially I thought it was out of rudeness or the lack of a proper up bringing that people in the city behaved in such a manner. Later I realized that for most people it is neither; it is more about survival. There is an enormous amount of energy bouncing from person to person that I believe makes people who live and work in the city retreat into themselves so they can carefully choose with whom they exchange their energy. I don't believe this is a conscious act or decision rather something that the body does to prevent sensory overload and for self-preservation.
When I started visiting the farm with Randy I immediately noticed the friendliness and took "The Wave" as a simple, courteous exchange between neighbors (although it was anyone on the road, not just neighbors.) Now that I am a farmer's wife who lives here full-time and travel the roads daily I have come to a deeper appreciation and understanding. "The wave" is not merely a neighborly gesture; it is acknowledgement of one's spirit. "The Wave" is physical recognition the person is valued for simply being alive. It doesn't matter that they don't know you personally. Their wave speaks to you, it is a sign that they are glad that you are here, sharing space on earth and that they honor your relationship with the universe. Their wave is like a silent "Namaste," meaning: "The spirit in me respects the spirit in you," or "the divinity in me bows to the divinity in you."
I will never take a wave, a point of the finger or a tipped hat for granted. A wave is meditation in movement and like a smile, it cost nothing. I believe if we all would wave with the kind of intention that I speak of above, the beneficiary of our kindness will feel the energetic connection and recognize the spiritual moment.
If you long for a piece of the serenity that comes with farm life, whether you live in the country or the city, I invite you to practice "The Wave" with perfect strangers and neighbors, then take time to be aware and enjoy the change it makes in you. We all have the power to improve our piece of the world.
I Love the Farm
&
I Love You Randy
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