Taking a Break

Nature provides us with a wonderful illustration of what happens to productivity after rest occurs. For example, land that’s been used for several years, after lying fallow (not being planted for a period of time), has a better harvest. It’s the same with humans. I’m not sure why I keep having to learn that same lesson repeatedly, but I do. 

Even though my farm responsibilities are fewer these days, I still have trouble relaxing, which often means I’m busy, but not necessarily productive. I also know that getting out of my regular routine is good for my mental health, but I always seem to make excuses. Last week, however, while on a road trip that encompassed nine states over a six day period, I took an actual break from work. 

It had been almost three years since Houston and I had both left town and the responsibilities of our farm, but since my mom was well on her way to recovering from hip replacement surgery and we had someone to take care of our farm, we felt comfortable leaving. 

While the initial reason for our trip was Houston’s dad’s memorial service in Georgia, we got to experience sweet times with some of our adult children and Houston’s extended family and friends as well. We even took a detour to Asheville, North Carolina, to visit our oldest son, McClendon, and his wife, Yessika.

The trip, and subsequent time off, was good for many reasons. My heart was warmed as we celebrated my father-in-law’s life and legacy. People shared how much he loved his family, especially his kids and grandkids. 

Also, the burnout I had been experiencing prior to leaving town began to dissipate while connecting with family and friends. The drive eastward and back was made with our youngest son Basden, who amazes me with his insight and thoughtfulness. And even the short time we had with our middle son, Chadwick, who flew in for a day from Lake Tahoe, was a blessing. The side trip to North Carolina to visit McClendon and Yessika brought joy to my heart. Walking to their favorite bakery, hiking to a gorgeous waterfall and sitting down to share a meal were experiences I wouldn’t have wanted to miss. Getting to know my kids better as adults never gets old. I learn something from them each time we’re together. And there’s nothing better than seeing firsthand how much they love one another. 

All of those things were a given, but the bonus was that the physical separation from work gave me a different perspective on our small business. It’s amazing how objective you can be when you’re not in the trenches. 

This piece first appeared in Sherry’s column, Finding Myself in a Small Town, in the July 20, 2024 edition of the Corsicana Daily Sun.