I overslept. Crap. The day had to go smoothly for me to make it to choir practice that night. Got to the farm by 7:00 a.m., an hour late. After we did the normal morning work (feeding calves, heifers, and cows and hauling manure while my brother and uncle milked the cows), we started on the other work for the day.

Me and Uncle David ground feed, and the harvestore (where we store the corn) quit working. We saved that job for later. We started unloading silage (ground up corn stocks) to finish filling the silage bag. In the midst of that, my uncle said a cow was starting to have a calf. We checked her, and the feet and head were coming right. We gave her some time, and she had her calf just fine except we had to assist her a little at the end. An hour later, after we finished filling the silage bag, I went to feed the calf its colostrum to ensure its health from the start. Then, we finished grinding the feed, which took another hour. By this time, it was 4:30 p.m. Time to start feeding the calves again. Then, we closed the silage bag. Backed the silage bagger in the barn. Fed some heifers and fed the chickens. Then, it was time for me to go to choir practice to end the night.

The day was as busy as ever and very emotionally draining. My patience was tested numerous times. However, I would not trade these experiences for the world.

I think we all have days like this that do not go as planned At the time it is very frustrating. We grow from every experience, good or bad.

I reflect back on this day and realize, even through all the stress, how blessed I am to be living this American dream.

P.S. Long live the American farmer.