The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1391

Good morning everyone and welcome. This is a very special day and in my youth back in West Limerick it was called "Little Christmas" or "Women's Christmas". Much of what I learnt of this day was from my dad and the example he set for this day. My mum, God rest her in heaven, was treated like a queen on this day for the other 364 days she was an angel and I don't say that lightly. Growing up on a small farm the women had lots of work both inside the home and outside such as milking cows, feeding calves and pigs and foul etc. The man would go to the creamery and work on the land all day. On January 6th every year mum was not allowed to lift a finger and dad and I did all the household jobs and farming while mum would meet with neighbouring women in the parish and have no work at all. In the evening time she would come back to a feast of roast goose and all the trimmings. Dad was a great cook also and I learned a lot from him. We would also have a clumsily wrapped present for her. It was very special and I try to do the same now for Miriam. Why do we do this? The answer I believe is that the women of the house symbolize Mary the mother of God. Her nearness always fills the air around us, always stirring our hearts, nurturing and fastening us always. She knows us inside out. No deeds, no seas, no others could ever erase that beauty, that kindness, that total and inexhaustible giving that was my mom and she inspires me each and every day and walks beside me and guides me and speaks in a beautiful silence that can only exist between a mother and her son. It is a difficult one to follow for all women but I know they all measure up. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your smile for all the women in your life. 

The Mindful Farmer

Patrick