A Valentine's Day Gift of Gratitude

by Michele Boy | February 13, 2025

  It’s a snowy February day here in western Kansas as I write my column before it heads to print. We had a couple of inches of beautiful snow to blanket our area with white. 
However the farmers are disappointed that there wasn’t any moisture in it. As always, in western Kansas, we need the moisture!
 Yesterday I got several grass hay bales and met my husband at the barn to unload them.  I was smiling from ear to ear watching him. 
He has known since the age of eight that he would be a farmer. I love observing his passion for the life he chose. 
 I was also surprised at how happy it makes me to be out there with him and our livestock. I find so much peace there with my family and animals.
Because of the snow day Wednesday, I got to spend some of the morning feeding and caring for our animals with them. It was fun to see baby lambs discover snow, watch the geese fly by, and take some extra time with our new bucket calf. 
  My toes were frozen, I had a laundry list of things to do, and was ready to head back to our warm home. But I was surprised at how much I have grown or changed. 
  Once living amongst millions of people in the city that never sleeps, noise all the time, I could never imagine living far away from it all. 
  Now, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I like the slower pace, the fresh air, the sunsets, and the distance from crowds. 
Yes I still love traveling, visiting a beach or a city, but this is home.
  When we started our 4-H journey six years ago, it was all new, exciting, and terrifying as I knew almost nothing. Each year we have tried new things. 
This year we have bred sheep and have a bucket calf. None of this could be done without friends, family, and community. No man is an island.
  Last week I helped moderate a scholars bowl meet with several schools participating. This week I drove to a junior high scholars bowl meet to watch my daughter and her team. 
  For these teams to participate, it took many volunteers, drivers, coaches, all coming together to help these kids compete and grow. 
Yes we say that when things go well. But I was also grateful that a trusted adult was correcting my child and others. 
How comfortable are you with that?   
  On the way home I almost hit a big, beautiful buck. Yes it is big and beautiful because I didn’t hit it. lol. 
I prayed that my daughter and her team would get home safely. 
I spent time on the drive thinking about
how many hours these drivers, volunteers, and coaches of all sports and humanities give. And I was grateful.
Friends, family, and community members working together can make a child’s experience great. We are all shaping their future. 
  On Tuesday night, I got a chance to get to the basketball games for a bit. They honored the first responders during the halftime of the boys varsity game (coverage next week). 
We had several students from our school sing the National Anthem. 
I snapped a picture of the junior high pep band and the high school cheerleaders. We had people working concessions, refereeing, taking money at the gate, working the scoring table, doing books, and announcing. Not to mention the hardworking kids on the teams, and all the fans in the seats.
Wow. Since Valentine’s Day is Friday, I can’t think of anything more appropriate than to stop and say thank you.
  Katharine Hepburn wrote -”Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get — only with what you are expecting to give — which is everything.”
 I hope you take some time this Valentine’s Day to stop and thank yourself for what you give, for the memories you helped create, and for the sometimes thankless giving you offer.