The Farm That Binds

I believe in my great-grandparents farm. I believe in waking up at five in the morning, not because I have to, but because I want to. I want to walk down that dimly lit hallway and joyfully greet my great-grandmother who is already awake and making breakfast for the cowboys. I want to walk outside and feel that cool breeze and look up into that faint blue sky and see from the corner of my eyes the bright sun slowly rising, and thank God for another day at the farm.

I believe that the farm can unite a family. A simple churrasco on a sunny day brings family members together that I haven’t seen in months—all of us hovering around the table and talking about the latest things that happened in our lives—all of us content and worriless. There we don’t talk about the bad things that have happened to us, but the good things. I remember sitting on the hammock with my arms spread apart and looking around and seeing various familiar faces, all with the same expression on their faces—happiness. To my right I see my three cousins and my little brother: Caio, Fabian, Guilherme, and Alexandre playing with a couple of cheap plastic toy cars and yet still they are as happy as ever. Straight ahead I see my father, Anderson, and my great-grandfather, Walter, barbecuing the picanha and laughing. To my left I see my great-grandmother, Zorilda, walking towards me, carrying dishes of appetizers and wearing a smile on her face. Suddenly, I feel at home. In the farm, everything is perfect to me.

I believe that the farm can teach me countless lessons. That feeling that I get when I am riding fast on a horse in the wide open green pasture. That moment when I close my eyes and feel that cool breeze and warm sun touching my face. That moment when I open my eyes and everything seems more beautiful and colorful—that moment teaches me to treasure every little instant life offers me. Feeding the chickens, milking the cows, and brushing the horses teaches me compassion. Waiting for the next morning to come when I could wake up and enjoy another day at the farm teaches me patience. And still, every day I am there, I learn something new.

I believe in the significant lessons the farm has to offer. I believe in the union it brings to my family. I believe that the farm brings me peace and that when I am there I have no worries—only about the day I have to leave that incredible place. While I live in a big city, I am grateful and proud to call my great-grandparent’s farm my second home. This I believe.