Me and My Dad

I was just standing at the kitchen sink washing the dishes, gazing out the window at my 3 year old daughter helping her daddy in the back yard, and I was instantly taken back to my own childhood.

Back to the time when I would 'help' my Dad on the farm.
I followed Dad around like a little shadow.
If he was at the back door, putting on his hat, I would ask,
"What are you doing, Dad? Can I come?"
I went everywhere with him.

Changing electric fences

Moving irrigation pipes

On the tractor

In the dairy

Mixing grain at the silo

Putting out hay

I have vivid memories...

...of spiky cut lucerne scratching my feet and helping Dad by holding up a hand to the big, long irrigation pipes. When Dad told me I was a good little helper, I believed him.

...of carrying a bundle of fencing poles and stomping them into the ground where Dad said.

...of being the only one with Dad when he was bitten by a snake. I had to run home and tell Mum to call the doctor. Fortunately it must have been a non-venomous tree snake (we didn't see it) but I'm sure that added to my snake phobia.

...of sitting on the tractor with Dad while he drove round and round the paddock ploughing, or planting, or raking hay.

Then I'm snapped back to here and now when my little girl walks in the door, cheeks flushed from being in the sun and a smile on her face because Daddy said, "You're a good little helper."

Me and my Dad