Our hearts are broken. My dad has passed away.
He was ready to go but I wasn’t ready for him to leave.
He was the sun and bright light to so many. I will cherish all the memories, his lessons and love. I will miss him forever and that smile.
I love you dad ❤️❤️❤️
My dad.
My first love.
My forever hero.
I’m hoping you can send him your thoughts and prayers. Today is the first day he starts radiation and chemo to fight Stage 3 esophagus cancer.
Cancer may have started this fight. But I know we’ll finish it.
#cancersucks
My dad.
My first love.
My forever hero.
I’m hoping you can send him your thoughts and prayers. Today is the first day he starts radiation and chemo to fight Stage 3 esophagus cancer.
Cancer may have started this fight. But I know we’ll finish it.
#cancersucks
The biggest risk and stressor on our farm isn’t weather, markets, labour or rising costs.
It’s government policy.
On this
@FoodDayCanada
, I’m sharing about lentils and fertilizer.
#FoodDayCanada
Cancer.
Our fears came true. Cancer has come back and it’s now in my dad’s lungs.
When my dad told us, he said “Stay positive. We’ve got this.”
Could you send your positive vibes and virtual hugs to him (since I can’t hug him right now) as he starts chemo today.
Today. The day my dad has fought so hard for; surgery to remove the cancer
Cancer can’t take our yesterday. My dad combined and took in harvest this year
He said it was the only place he wanted to be and smiled all day
Cancer started this fight. He’s so close to finishing it
He did it!!! Today, my dad got to ring the bell after his last cancer treatment.
5 weeks of treatments.
5 rounds of chemo.
23 rounds of radiation.
I’m so proud of him and feel blessed.
Thank you for all your support and prayers. What a great day ☺️
Here’s a lesson my dad taught me ♥️
When I was 7, I stepped on a nail and it went through my foot. I screamed, he picked me up, carried me to his truck and held my hand on the way to the hospital.
He said “Your foot will hurt but you’re stronger than you realize Lesley.” /1
Safety of glyphosate is determined by scientists. Over 40 years of research and 800 scientific studies.
It’s not determined by celebrities.
Or actors.
Or jurors.
Or nutritionists.
Or attorneys.
Or media.
Or activists.
I just got the call.....
My dad is in REMISSION!!!!!
#ByeCancer
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so very much for all your prayers, thoughts, love, messages. They truly mean the world to us and I can’t thank you enough 🙏🏻 ❤️ ❤️❤️
In 20 years, we won’t remember what we talked about, but we’ll remember these harvest suppers in the field as one of the best moments of why we love this life of farming.
#harvest
#agmorethanever
#farming
My 👏🏻 dad 👏🏻 is 👏🏻 out 👏🏻 of 👏🏻 the 👏🏻 ICU!!!
Thank you for the love, support, messages, calls, and smiles the last few days. He’s got a long road to recovery but this is a great first step and we’re so grateful and blessed.
Today. The day my dad has fought so hard for; surgery to remove the cancer
Cancer can’t take our yesterday. My dad combined and took in harvest this year
He said it was the only place he wanted to be and smiled all day
Cancer started this fight. He’s so close to finishing it
In farming,
It’s okay to take a 5 sec, 5 min or 5 hour break.
It’s okay to take a vacation.
It’s okay to take a staycation.
It’s okay to have boundaries.
It’s okay to make you the priority.
It’s okay to give yourself what you need to be healthy, recover and recharge.
I’m getting 2-3 spam calls a day claiming to be Service Canada, fraudulent activity on my SIN and now I guess I’m going to jail.
Any one else experiencing all the spam too?
Suicide in agriculture.
We don’t talk about suicide as much as we need to, as much as we should.
It’s hard. Painful. Heart wrenching. Tragic. And scary. As I’m typing this post, my hands are shaking. /1
We bought a house!
After a couple of years of planning to be close to the farm, we’re ready to plant roots and make a home.
It may not be much to some but it’s much to us. We don’t see a mess or holes, but plans, a foundation, & our future.
...and a long honey-to-do list
My dad has been in the hospital for a bit and missed
#plant19
But he got a 6 hours pass today to come home!!!
What was the first thing he wanted to do?
Crop check 🌾🌾🌾
You can take the farm out of the farmer but you can’t take the farmer out of the farm.
What a special Christmas gift 🥰
This week I received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for service to agriculture.
I am truly honoured. There’s no better industry and community to be part of and so grateful I got to share this special moment with my family ❤️
My two farmers.
Men get anxiety
Men get depression
Men get mental illness
Instead of saying man up and suck it up.
Let’s say: it’s okay. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to ask for help
It’s okay and it will be okay
We’re stronger together❤️
#Bellletstalk
In case no one told you today:
❤️ You are loved
❤️ You are needed
❤️ You are stronger than you think
❤️ I am proud of you
❤️ Yoo are exactly where you need to be
❤️ You deserve to be here
❤️ I see you trying your best
❤️ It will get better
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay
I’ve started a new tradition with my dad. Each harvest, I cut a bouquet of wheat and leave by his graveside.
He’d sure be proud of these yields and quality through drought.
But even more, I know he’d be so proud of us on how we’ve persevered together ❤️
A gentle reminder:
Please check in on your ‘strong’ friends
Your quiet, smiling, happy friends
Your life of the party friends
Your old, young, new friends
Your friends
Because sometime those who need help look a lot like those who don’t need help ❤️❤️❤️
I harrowed for the first time 😁
I was completely out of my comfort zone.
I’m not the best turner so I harrowed 3 head-rows to be safe.
I also didn’t hit anything ☺️
....we all start from somewhere but the biggest thing is to start and learn
#AgTwitter
has taught me so much these past two years.
Family isn’t defined by just your blood but love.
Friendship is not defined by distance but by heart.
Community is not defined by location but by caring and strength
We are stronger together, and she taught me that ❤️
20 years ago I didn’t think I had (and to be honest, want) a future in farming...
Now, I’m farming beside my family, hubby and kids (who are in the grain cart).
I couldn’t feel more grateful, blessed and happier.
#Farmlife
#harvest18
#farming
My 9 yr old daughter spending part of her spring break getting this thing figured out. Best part of this is she decided to come to the field on her own and learn.
I’ve sat at this table for the last 6 months, doing farm books with my head in my hands and tears of sadness, grief, doubt and being overwhelmed. But right now, these tears are different.
I finished our farm’s year end. /1
I flew to Winnipeg today for a few days and accidental left my son’s hockey equipment in the back of the SUV.
He told me I’ve ruined his hockey career.
He’s 4 🙃🙈
I took this photo on this day last year of Matt consoling our 5 YO cause he was missing his dad terribly. Matt who has had a hard couple days too told him this.
“It won’t always be like this”
Tough times don’t last forever ❤️
Once Covid19 is behind us, what’s the first thing you are going to do after leaving your house and coming out of social distancing?
Me: Hug my mom and dad. Forever.
I’m sorry if the rain cancels some Canada Day plans......
But this makes us farmers in a drought so happy and relieved.
Cheers to you on this Canada Day!
Things you don’t need to apologize for:
1. Your feelings
2. Your goals
3. Saying no
4. Your priorities
5. Your imperfections
6. Telling your truth
7. Being yourself
8. Asking for help
9. Creating boundaries
10. Your value
Men get anxiety, PTSD
Men get depression
Men get mental illness
Instead of saying man up, suck it up, men don’t cry
Let’s say: it’s okay. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to ask for help
It’s okay and it will be okay
We’re stronger together❤️
#Bellletstalk
I’m in South Dakota and in a corn field!!! .
I don’t come ear often 🙃☺️
It’s my first time in this beautiful state and only a few times in a 🌽field so I had to pop out of the car to take a few pics.
Kk I’ll stop now ☺️
I don't think we realize or know how much strength it takes to pull your own self out of a dark place mentally
So if you've done that today, did that yesterday or any day, I'm so proud of you
As a gentle reminder, you are braver than you believe & stronger than you know❤️🌾
Smells that I love:
Baked bread
Coffee in the morning
Tilled soil, fresh dirt
Cut grass
Ocean breeze
Rain
And filling up the car with gas.
What’s yours?
Laugh until it hurts. Apologize when you should. Let go of what you can’t change. Kiss slowly. Hug hard. Forgive. Love deeply. Take chances. Cry when you’re happy & when you’re sad. Dance. Stay out later than you should. Give everything & have no regrets
Light this world on fire
There are 6 types of people you want to surround yourself with:
1) The inspired
2) The passionate
3) The motivated
4) The grateful
5) The open minded
.....and the ones that make you smile, especially when you need it the most
Our first supper in the field this
#harvest21
, and without my dad.
He valued the meaningful connections, rich conversations and deep culture a supper in the field created.
And they are some of my cherished memories now.
Cheers to you dad on your 47th harvest from heaven ❤️
This shirt is so true. Sorry for the the things I said during harvest...
I’ve been moved from combine to grain cart operator because I said in my nicest voice (while combining)
“Well if the grain cart could hurry up.........please” 🙃😉☺️
Shirt here:
@the_redbarnco
After sharing pictures and stories about farmers I’ve met on my travels with my 9YO, he said:
“When I grow up, I want to be a farmer who helps other farmers.”
We already do bud. Why this industry is so very special and has the most amazing people in it, like you 💚
The government does not speak for, or represent my farm…..or understand the repercussions of how they are hurting agriculture and family farms across Canada.
“Farmers know climate change is real and farmers want to act on it.”
Deputy PM Freeland comments on how the government refuses to support Bill C-234, which would exempt farmers from the carbon tax.
Hey
@CTVNews
. This is super disappointing that you ran a story (with click bait) from activists whose study is to do one thing - create fear about agriculture and how my family and I farm.
Would have loved to see you run a story about how farms and the industry produce safe food
I picked a bouquet of wheat for my dad.
I know what he would be telling us if he was here: “Try to find the positives in this harvest.”
✔️No grain bags
✔️More family time
✔️Learned a lot about managing costs, risk and efficiencies.
What would be your positives?
#harvest21
CTV news just reported that the Liberal party has 12 votes in the Sask election (at the moment).
Not 12 seats. 12 total votes in the province.
That’s a strong indicator of the party’s support in the province.
#skpoli
One of the best things I’ve done for my own growth on the farm has been to stop telling myself I’m not experienced enough or not qualified.
Growth happens when you start doing things you’re not experienced or qualified to do ❤️
Happy
#CdnAgDay
!!!
Cheers to all of those who grow and raise food, those who help to transport, process, package, sell, and everything in between.
And to those who love to eat.
From my family to yours, thank you for supporting our ag industry.
As a gentle reminder, when things feel overwhelming or you’re going through a hard moment:
-one thought at a time
-one task at a time
-one day at a time
Because it’s going to be okay.
Do you have any gentle reminders that help you through a hard moment?
Today I say goodbye to one of the loves of my life, my Grandma
She taught me so much like butter and cream can go in almost any food and the best pairing with wine is good company
And that there is nothing more important than the love of life, family and community ❤️
I met Chase while standing in line at a Starbucks in the Pheonix airport.
I told him I really liked his shirt.
After a short conversation, I learned our love of food and eating meat was only one of the many things we had in common ☺️
When your head hits the pillow tonight, remind yourself that you’ve done a good job. Be patient with yourself, and remember big things are achieved not all at once, but one day at a time.
The end is in sight.
We say good night at every supper and last ride with this kids.
But I stay up and wait till I know he’s home and safe. I even try to sleep but it’s not a goodnight until he’s home.
Please stay safe from all of us who are waiting to kiss you goodnight.
My dad’s obituary. The hardest thing I’ve ever wrote.
He was special in so many ways and cared so much about his family, friends, community and agriculture. He loved deeper, cheered harder, laughed louder, hugged tighter and smiled bigger ❤️
My version of tailgating ☺️
We might not be in a parking lot, with a tent, bbq, and getting ready to watch our favourite team.
But this is one of my favourite places to be at during harvest and at the farm surrounded with my favourite people.
Men get anxiety
Men get depression
Men get mental illness
Instead of saying man up, suck it up, boys don’t cry.
We should say: it’s okay. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to raise your hand and ask for help.
It’s okay and it will be okay.
#Bellletstalk
I ❤️ pics. The year is almost over and I want to see your most favourite pics you took in 2018.
Here’s a few of mine.
Please share ☺️
#plant18
#harvest18
Both my husband and I have called the Sask Farm Stress Line and other crisis lines in times of need.
My husband called in the midst of his first panic attack where he thought he was dying. He called it a life saving experience. /1
Near or far, heaven or earth, who are you missing this holiday season?
I’m missing my dad.
Grief hits in waves, especially during times like this. When it hits, I hold dear the things he taught me.
I’m grieving. And I’m grateful ❤️
Portrait by
Happy
#CdnAgDay
!!!
Cheers to all of those who grow and raise food, those who help to transport, process, package, sell, and everything in between.
And to those of us who love to eat 🙋♀️
Thank you for supporting my family and our ag industry.
In case no one told you today:
❤️ You are loved
❤️ You are needed
❤️ You are stronger than you know
❤️ I see you trying your best
❤️ You will get through this
❤️ I am soooo proud of you
A gentle reminder today and everyday (if you need it like me)
#bellletstalk
I ❤️ pics. The year is almost over and I want to see your most favourite pic you took in 2017.
Here’s a few of mine.
Please share ☺️
#agchat
#plant17
#harvest17
My dad helped me redefine strength & helped me realize the strength I always had in me.
This has been a hard year, through a pandemic, life loss and crop loss but I’m repeating his words and passing it on like he did:
Please remember, you are always stronger than you know ♥️
Sometimes I think I’m teaching him so much about life.
But he’s really the one who’s teaching me what life is all about.
#farming
#saskatchewan
#farmboy