Many a slip ‘twixt tractor step and calf pen
One minute you’re young, carefree, and single, with endless possibilities stretching before you. The next, you find yourself nervously sitting down for a routine medical examination related to your pension and life insurance policy review. Such is the unbridled joy of turning 45. Will Evans, a farmer and writer for Farmers Weekly, recently went through this experience filled with amusing anecdotes that shed light on the realities of getting older in the farming community.
As he sat down for his examination, the district nurse bombarded Will with questions about his lifestyle, including how many units of alcohol he consumes in a week. Will humorously responded, Depends on how my daughters are behaving at the time, which earned him a blank stare from the nurse. Sheepishly, he confessed to drinking around eight or 10 units per week, prompting an arched eyebrow from the nurse.
The examination continued with questions about his blood pressure. Will jokingly mentioned that his blood pressure only spiked when working with older family members while moving cattle. This lighthearted remark left the nurse visibly irritated, revealing her unfamiliarity with the realities of farming families.
Will, however, embraces the humor in aging, finding it necessary to cope with the challenges that come with it. His recent experiences have involved several falls that could easily be featured in a comedy sketch. One memorable incident occurred during spring when his daughter brought him a cup of tea. As he disembarked from his tractor, he missed the bottom step entirely and fell into a muddy puddle right in front of his daughter who found it hilariously entertaining. So much so, she spilled the tea in her fit of laughter.
Another noteworthy fall took place while Will was carrying two buckets of milk to the calf pens. He slipped in a way that resembled a classic cartoon mishap, with his legs ending up in the air and his back hitting the ground. Covered in milk and nursing both his pride and bruised shoulder blades, it took him 15 minutes to gingerly stand up again.
Not one to let a good fall go to waste, the most recent incident occurred during a family holiday with friends. Two of the men, including Will, attempted to show off on electric scooters, leading to a spectacular fall and potentially a cracked rib for Will. Although he refrained from sharing further details to avoid angering his wife, the memory still brings a smile to his face.
While these falls may be comedic in nature, they highlight the risks often faced in farming. Spending a lifetime working in the elements, operating heavy machinery, and dealing with unpredictable animals leaves farmers susceptible to injuries. It’s no wonder the nurse wanted to thoroughly assess Will’s health. As Will aptly puts it, We don’t choose the ibuprofen life; the ibuprofen life chooses us.
Amidst the humor, Will expresses gratitude, realizing that laughter helps him cope with the inevitable process of getting older. Finding joy in even the clumsiest of moments makes the journey more bearable. And amidst the lighter tone, he notes the inherent challenges and physical demands of farming that contribute to the risks and falls experienced by many in the agricultural community.
In the end, Will shared a chuckle with the nurse when he discovered the item she had been rummaging for in her bag was simply a urine sample bottle. Laughter appeared to be the best remedy, bringing both relief and a sense of camaraderie in acknowledging the sometimes absurd challenges that come with age.
Read more on CommunityWill’s World by Will Evans and stay tuned for his unique perspective on life as a farmer, filled with humor, wit, and relatable anecdotes.
Please note that this article has been paraphrased to fit within the given word limit while maintaining the original ideas.
