We are hard up against a deadline. The deadline is self imposed, as it usually is around here, but the pressure is still on nonetheless. We have a bunch of calves we weaned in December who desperately need some new grazing land, and we have a 70-acre stretch of pasture that is ripe for the picking. My husband and I knew that the perennial ryegrass planted on the majority of this stretch of pasture would be lush and beautiful come late February. Would we let another year pass by without tackling this fence? It would be such a waste of nutrition if we did. We had been talking about fencing in this new area for quite a while now, but talking is all we had done. The truth is, life happened, and we hadn’t made time to actually do it. But these little guys need more food, and necessity is a powerful motivator.

Like most Alabamians, my boys and I feel as if we are going to freeze to death in any weather that dips below 30 degrees, and we’ve experienced an especially cold January here in Walker County. My husband, however, is immune to the cold–mainly because he’s just tough as nails. He’s also pretty much unfazed by the 101 degree, muggy Alabama summer days as well. The man is just a workhorse. Or a train. Or just something really, really tough.

Our first week of fence building gave us perfect weather–a balmy high of 55 degrees, with a low of about 40. We couldn’t ask for anything better. But that second week of fencing….man, oh man, was it cold! Monday evening was a bitter 25 degrees when we wrapped it up for the day. Then Tuesday rolled around and brought us an 18 degree morning to start our workday with. That’s unheard of around here! We have whole school districts that close when temperatures are that low in this part of the Southeast.

***Ok, no kidding, it is really is an icy 20 degrees in this picture. There’s no snow on the ground to prove how cold it is-but just look at the kid’s face: he’s cold!***

We suffered through it, cold hands and all, simply because we had something that depends on us. Necessity is the strongest motivator. Our cows need us to pull through and suck it up. Our little calves need my boys to suck it up, and they especially need momma to stay focused and suck it up so that their needs can be met. My husband owns a construction business, so yes, we can pull some of his guys to help us to finish this fence. But you see, I want my boys to do this type of work. I want them to see firsthand that when something depends on you, you really need to pull through and put your wants and desires on hold for a bit and make things happen for them. You set aside your comfort to get the job done.

Necessity turns success into a must rather than a preference. Unlike simple wants or whims, necessity demands that you take action and see a goal through until it’s finished. I want my boys to complete tasks that adult laborers do, simply because I want them to mature into confident young men. I want them to be proud of the work they accomplish and feel like they can tackle anything as long as they put forth the effort. Twenty years from now, I want them to look at this fence and be grateful that Mom and Dad helped them build it.

fencing, fence, barbed wire, skidsteer, pine trees,working, kids chores — ***David and his dad stretching barbed wire up the hill away from the creek and holler.***

working boys, hammer, fence, barbed wire, fence post — ***Finally at the top of the hill!***

We have fun working together as a family. We joke, we laugh, we sing our own made-up songs, but we also get real serious when it’s absolutely necessary. Like when a herd of calves need to put on a few thousand pounds and grow healthy and strong. That’s where we are right now.

We can’t wait to turn these little guys out onto their new pasture. They’ll probably feel like the Israelites crossing over into the Promised Land when it’s all said and done. More importantly, though, my boys are learning valuable life lessons–lessons about hard work, responsibility, and the pride that comes from seeing a job through to completion. At the end of the day, it’s not just about building a fence. It’s about building their character. It’s about teaching them that with effort and perseverance, they can tackle anything life throws their way. At least, that’s what we pray happens. Happy fencing, my friends.