I now wear a tractor pin. My Dad passed away this month and a family member bought tractor pins for his posterity. My Dad loved tractors, and the soil that it tilled and the garden that came from the soil. He loved even more having a child or grandchild by his side on the tractor and in the projects. The tractor is symbolic of his magnificent efforts to encourage the rising generation to have character, a work ethic and skills.
The pin reminds of his generosity. He put up hundreds of bottles of peaches, beets, beans, applesauce, and tomatoes every year. He gave away wheelbarrow loads of melons and bushels of tomatoes. He gave to the neighbors, family, widows and refugees. He helped my family till our soil, plant our corn and put up tomatoes. With 10 canners going we could put up over 200 quarts of tomatoes in a day!The pin reminds me to work hard and take responsibility.He would get up often before 6:00 am, head out to the garden, then to the office, then back in the evening to the garden. On Saturday he would work by the side of children or grandchildren teaching them landscaping, mowing lawns, planting and fixing sprinkler pipes. He would work through till 9 or 10 at night and say "Boy we got a lot done!" And he was so HAPPY! He loved every minute. The next day he would call and tell me what great workers my children are.
The pin reminds me of his continual learning. He loved the New Testament and had 600 scriptures memorized. On his bedstand was Paul's Life and Letters, the scriptures, Consumer Reports and The Blueprint of Christ's Church. My dad understood that people who work side by side, in the soil, grow food, and share generously, develop character, and solve their problems. He could see the generational power of transferring values by loving and working with the rising generation. It wasn't about food, it was about empowering and changing the lives of those he loved.
Here is my poem about the pin:
My Dad smiled all the day;
HIs heavy work was clearly play.
He got up early before the dawn,
Tilled the field and mowed the lawn.
Often with a child at side,
Then on the tractor for a ride.
He gave freely with a smile,
And worked long past the extra mile.
He memorized large amounts of scripture.
And was a counselor, friend and teacher.
He didn't criticize or complain,
Nor make excuses or find blame.
So it becomes a little harder to sin
When I wear my tractor pin.
