That whole nature vs. nurture thing? I always believed 50/50. But there has to be one that is dominant, and I'm gonna go with the nature. There are things coded in our genes that we can't control, and I firmly believe that farming is one of them. My kid is a farmer and there's nothing I can do about it.
How does that make me feel? Well, my feelings pretty much reflect Patrick's and he is at his happiest when he's outside by the barns or in the tractor with his Dad.
Although there was a time when I would not have chosen that for my child. Farming is seriously annoying to me and I'm just now starting to come to terms with all the disadvantages - I've dealt with it my entire life with my Dad, and now with my husband. Yes, my choice, I know. But I have to watch two of my favorite men work their asses off 24/7, sun up to sun down, putting their heart and soul into every detail. Seeding, planting, transplanting, plowing, loading, baling, harvesting, and on and on and on. And what do they get in the end? They break even. A possible profit of $300 if it was a good year. Is it worth it? I mean, they haven't seen their kids in 6 months. In my eyes, it's not worth it.
So when it comes down to what my son wants to do with his life, no, I didn't want that for him. And maybe he won't end up going that route (but he more than likely will) and I will be happy if he is happy. And I mean that.
When I was pregnant with Patrick and we found out it was a boy, I really didn't get the feeling he would be a tractor baby. I had other thoughts.
But he knew what he wanted. It was in his genes.
I know my airplane-lover will come to me someday. Until then, I have to watch my first born bring me the Tractor House magazine shouting "MOMMY READ." And I'll embrace every moment of it.
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