Something worth remembering.

 Friday 26th September 2025

I didn’t bother making an entry yesterday, as it was nothing but ploughing from eleven till almost dusk with hardly a breath in between. Even black bin day failed to provide any entertainment—no whacky races to watch this week. Honestly, I could do with Nigel back to stir things up a little! Then again, if he did return, I’d no doubt be grumbling that life had become too spicy. There’s no pleasing me sometimes.

Something worth remembering happened last night though, while the three of us were sat around the dinner table. Mum remarked on how quickly the evenings are closing in now; it felt like we had only just finished summer, and here we are already eating under lamplight. We all agreed with her, nodding like we always do when mum spreads her wisdom.

Then Dad turned to me with that thoughtful look of his and said, “You do realise that if it wasn’t for the work you’re doing, I’d still be out there in the fields until bedtime?”

I wasn’t entirely sure what he was getting at, nor what reply he was expecting. All I managed was a wry, “Well, I’m glad I have my uses.”

But he pressed on, serious this time. “No, Katie. If you hadn’t done what you’ve done this week, I would have to be out there myself.”

That stopped me for a moment. “Ah! Thanks, Dad. What’s brought this on?”

He leaned back a little and explained, “You were worrying the other week when I bought the new tractor—that I didn’t have yours to trade in, and that it was somehow a burden. But it’s no hardship at all. You’re making it earn its keep, and that’s all that matters.”

Before I could answer, Mum chimed in with her quiet smile. “It’s worth it to me just to have some company of an evening.”

That settled it. And sitting there with both of them, with the lamplight soft around the kitchen, I felt something I can’t quite put into words. Maybe it was pride, maybe it was belonging—or maybe it was just the simple joy of knowing I am needed and appreciated. Whatever it was, it wrapped around me like a blanket.

As for me, it’s most certainly worth it too. I get to spend my days doing what I love, and my evenings tucked in at home with the two people I love most. Tractors and family—it doesn’t sound much, but to me it’s everything.