Dear Editor:
A friend at school said she couldn’t do a farmer nod. I said, “ What?”
“You know when you are out with your dad and he meets someone and does this nod thing” she said. I nodded and she said, “Thats it, I can’t do it.” I did it again and she laughed. I thought that was weird, it’s a simple thing and I had never really thought about. You use the nod when you see someone at an auction and it’s too loud to go talk or they’re already talking to someone. The nod says, talk to you later or how is your day.
The farmer wave is used for so many things and more places. You wave at your neighbours on the road. Whether they are in their vehicle or in the tractor, most of us know what everyone drives and have a wave ready as soon as you see them coming. If they get a different vehicle, it sometimes takes a few times to recognize them. You think, darn I didn’t wave. If you drive the same truck for 17 years and a guy doesn’t wave back, you give up. It doesn’t feel right to not wave, but it’s his loss.
Then there is the over the fence wave. It says so many things. How is the family? We need rain. We don’t need rain. Prices are good. Have a good day. Hope nothing breaks down today. Hope all our crops are good. Then you turn and do another round.
What happens when there is an accident and the tractor seat is empty? You think about the last time you talked or the last time you waved across the fence. There was a smile and a wave. One of their children was in the tractor cab. Riding with dad, learning all the skills to drive a tractor. Watching every move you made. A future farmer. The person who will feed the next generation, but he is not even 10 yet. Now, he has lost his dad.
In a small community, everyone morns when there is an unfortunate accident. Life lost with so many things to do yet. So many dreams. A family without a loved one. You look across the field or drive by and wonder how they are dealing today. The sun comes up and goes down. The corn, wheat and beans grow. Weeks, months, then years go by. You will always remember, the wave, and the smile, across the fence.
Lynn Elliott
Moorefield