A Thankful Reminiscence - Insight 5

It happens to be that time of year again where we look back upon our last three hundred sixty-five days in the calendar and review our thanks. While we always carry a profound sense of gratefulness deeply within ourselves, it is vital to dedicate a moment to the act of appreciation for where we were, where we are, and the obstacles traversed—big or small. Gratitude is something earned, not given. With a passion enriched life like this it is occasionally forgotten. However, it is important we take these moments to deliberately give our thanks to the things that make it all worth it.

Everyone’s circumstances are different, but for us we are appreciative of 2023’s good fortune. We struggled especially hard during the past three years, and we feel this one was particularly needed. We began the year with the promise and realization of a beautiful crop of red calves. We thank the fortunate mixture of luck, hard work, and timing to save lives. While loss is inevitable in our part of the world, we persevered and saved three babies from the frozen jaws of death. We learned valued lessons, overcame personal struggles, and the fruit of those labors now rests in our pastures peacefully grazing. They each brought with them great amounts of joy, enduring pride, and the occasional reminder of sought-after success during trying times. We give thanks for the lives saved and hope that those lost fare well in greener pastures.

We gained unexpected amounts of moisture this year almost forming false hopes of a drought departed while many around us continued to struggle for those valued drops from the heavens. Where others mumble curses at our fortunes of rain, we thank it for the quiet, quenching promises of a better year. Good fortune and hard work assisted in the resurrection of a family garden where our labor was painted with vibrant and healthy colors through leaves, stocks, berries, fruits, vegetables, and herbs abundant enough to share with family and friends alike. With that, our gratitude moves to good ol’ Mother Nature herself and the brief reprieves from an enduring struggle we faced for far too long.

We further appreciate life’s new experiences. Meeting people for the first time, traveling the country, and seeing new things. Travel far away from home is often something Americans view as the only opportunity to gain new perspectives. You may be surprised to find that much of what we seek can be found here in our own country without the expense of circumnavigating the globe. We appreciate the opportunities within our humble lives to try new things and gain wisdom through new encounters when afforded.

We asked the good Lord to hold the cattle prices for one more day in the middle of October and He delivered. Our calves grew bigger than most in the area because of our fortune in green grass. That helped us succeed in gaining those sought after bids in the auction ring. The numbers appeared nearly unbelievable but remain greatly welcomed with the hardships of the past decade. The upward cycle in the industry likely peaked this year, but we took every bit of it while we could. We value those calves and the part they played in keeping us running one more year far more than many realize. We wish them the best in the months and years to come.

We thank and appreciate the skills and knowledge gained through a lifetime’s work. The ability to transition from designer and engineer to emergency veterinarian to a passionate steward of land, animals, and environment does not simply take days, weeks, months, or years. It requires a lifetime to comprehend. We thank this life for the opportunities to be specialists within many fields. Without the Hashknife Ranch we would not have the ups and downs of struggle and ensuing opportunity. We give thanks to the lottery we won when we entered this life and chose to stay.

Finally, as a ranch that continues to exist after six generations, we give thanks to our family and future. We look back upon our own history and pay homage to those who came before, then take a moment to peer beside us. To those who stick by our sides when everything is the hardest and most challenging. When circumstances force you to question yourself. When it all seemingly comes unraveled. To the people who rise beneath your arms and help you stand slightly taller, walk a little straighter. Without our biggest supporters we fade away to nothing. Family is our business, and our foundation. We give thanks for our most loved supporters.

So, as stated before, it has come to that time of year where we gather around the table and share appreciation for the things we possess. Look past the physical and peer into the deeper intangibles that others cannot see. Know your worth, the value of your year, the pricelessness of your greatest assets whether it be knowledge, experience, passions, or loved ones. Look to those around you, with you, behind and before you, then give a small thanks. It may be a short prayer, a long hug, or a simple smile, but take that moment. If not for yourself, do it for them. Happy Thanksgiving!