June 2, 1914 was my father’s birthday. As a result, he’s always on my mind in early June. I think of him a lot in early August too, because he passed away on August 10, 2003 at the age of 89. I’m wondering: do you think about your deceased loved ones on their birthdays? What about on the anniversaries of their deaths?
Today I’m sharing something I wrote about my Dad a number of years ago. It appeared in my book Gracious Goodness (which is the updated version of my book Abundant Treasures.) This reflection highlights one of my personal images of faith–an image based on the first time my Father let me “drive” the tractor. I am including in this post pictures of some beautiful tractors… I hope you will enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed finding them!
But first, here’s a picture of the kind of tractor I remember as a child…
“Faith is Like Riding the Tractor with my Father”
I remember the first time my father let me ride the tractor. I was probably about five. My father climbed up onto the tractor first, leaned over, and with one effortless motion of his giant arm, swooped me up into the seat in front of him. I felt very important–and a little afraid. The seat was higher than it looked from down below.
My father said, “Ready?” I nodded my head. “Good,”he said. “Now you steer.” Immediatlely I grabbed the steering wheel with both hands. He turned the key, the engine made a loud noise, and the tractor shook beneath us. Over the roar of the motor, he said in my ear, “Now hang on,” and he gently released the clutch. Instinctively, I tighted my hands around the steering wheel. The tractor moved slowly at first, and then my father gave it more gas and we went a little faster until we were bouncing up and down over the fields.
I wish I had a picture of my father and me on that tractor that first time. If I did, I know what I would see. Me with my back arched, arms stiff, hands clenching that steering wheel. On my face is a look of grim determination. After all, I am steering that tractor! Or at least I think I am. The photo would also show my father smiling, his one hand unobtrusively on the steering wheel, the other around my waist holding me gently but firmly in place. He is smiling, because he knows the truth. He is in control of that tractor and he will see that no harm comes to me.
For me, riding the tractor with my father is a very good image of faith. Faith means being up high and moving forward. It means being eager, but maybe a little afraid too. It means keeping your hands on the steering wheel and doing your part. But, most importantly, faith means knowing whose hands are on the wheel with yours. It means knowing who is sitting with you and whose arms are cradling you. Faith means knowing no real harm can come to you because your father is riding with you all the way.
For reflection:
Did any words or phrases stand out for you in this reflection?
Do you agree with this statement: Faith in God presupposes a personal relationship with God.
Faith is more than simply trusting in God. It also means “partnering” with God to help bring about the better world we hope and long for. What are some of the small and big ways your faith is leading you to “partner” with God (and others) to help bring about a better world?
Do you have any favorite experiences with your parents or grandsparents that taught you valuable lessons about living and/or faith?
Do you have any experience with tractors you’d like to share with us?
Here’s an old but beautiful song, “This Is My Father’s World,” sung by Amy Grant. I thought the pictures of nature were lovely and uplifting…
I hope you will share below some of your thoughts on this reflection and on faith.
36 Responses
I love your remembrance of your dear dad! I’m sure he will be smiling at the memory of you on the tractor with him. Praying you enjoy his birthday!
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
That passage you give us of your father painting his tractor, caring for that tractor, listening to Italian opera while doing so, making his own tools when needed; a man with a sense of humor, who with that tractor helped ease the burdens of others, who passed that machine of goodness onto to his sons, and taught his daughter to drive one, a daughter who now helps to ease our burdens — pull us out of ditches of despair — with her Monday morning words. Thank you, Melannie’s dad!
My dad had as much smaller tractor, but like your dad used it not only to serve his needs for mowing grass, plowing snow and with a small utility trailer latched behind hauling whatever needed moved…he used it to serve the needs of his neighbors. Isn’t that what we are all called to do? To use our tools to serve the needs of our neighbors. Thanks to you, Melannie, I will be thinking of my dad all day. 🙂
Faith means knowing no real harm can come to you because your father is riding with you all the way. – Great phrase! I needed to see that one.
Thanks for this today! I’m reading while on the beach trying to see the sunrise (but cloudy today). Reminiscing about being with my Dad on the beach when I was young as my grandparents lived in Florida and we made annual treks there for vacation.
I especially remember once when I was five years old my dad saved me from drowning. We had gone out in the ocean, him holding me, and there was a huge drop off. Suddenly we were both underwater and my dad and great uncle were tossing me back and forth to try to keep me above water. Finally we got back to shore and all was ok. I remember Dad saying I told you I’d save you. Just like God says to me all the time!
So now I’m the grandma and here on vacation with all my kids and grandkids hoping that my love and influence can somehow be a saving grace to them in their lives.
My memory is riding/driving a similar Ford tractor with Grandpa when I was about the same age. Connecting your story to a definition of faith is a beautiful image. Thank you.
Thanks so much. You brought back memories of my Father teaching me to drive our ford tractor to rake hay. Pleasant thoughts from my childhood.
Thank you Sister Melannie. I appreciate your faith and the uplifting words and memories you share with us. May God bless you always.
This was similar to my experience learning to drive my Dad’s John Deer tractor at about the
same age. I was a little afraid, but Dad always had a way of making us believe that we could do anything. He walked along side the tractor as I proudly steered.
This was in a small town south of Chardon. Sadly my Dad passed from colon cancer at age
45. My Mom was left with 10 children and a farm and many other life situations to cope with.
Our Grandparents had deep faith and the older 5 siblings did a lot to help raise us younger 5.
The family spirit was a protection sent by God.
I lovingly remember that story about driving the tractor when you were young. It’s always been an encouraging thought for me in worrisome times. And the song you chose is an old favorite. Wonderful reflection on a sunny Monday morning. Thank you!
Thanks so very much Melannie for this reflection today. I too, have great memories of my Dad, and we share the same birthday…December 18. I love the stories by parents shared with me as I was growing up with my nine brother and sisters. I never drove a tractor, but love to watch them when they are busy in the fields…I always loved the farm when I was young, even though we didn’t live on one, but the openness and the freshness always stands out in my mind.
Have a blessed day and thanks for your words and the beautiful video.
Peace to you this day, S. Marty Dermody
Beautiful reflection about your Dad. Both your parents were loving examples of faith that our Father in heaven will always protect and love us. I have fond memories of watching my Dad building things. He was a carpenter and gifted cabinet maker and did a lot of work in our garage or basement. The smell of wood always reminds me of him and bread baking brings memories of my mother.
What an amazing reflection. Two very distinct memories fill my spirit…one, of course, is the times I spent with my dad, working as a young child with my dad in his home worshop, fixing things from around the house. Of course, he did the fixing, but he let me think it was me. I still smile when I reflect on the image. How life giving.
The other image is the many years I spent during the summer months helping to maintain our Community summer retreat/study/vacation property in the panhandle of Maryland; it was beautiful in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. I spent many hours each week on the tractor like your dad’s pulling the “gang moer”. Many hours of prayer and quiet reflection. I look back on those moments in God’s country. The community has since sold the property, and I have never been back there because I don’t what to see how they have changed it.
God bless you.
Father John
Thank you for this uplifting reflection and song.
Your memories of your Dad, especially on his birthday and passing day, rang true with my own recollections. For those of us who were blessed with a father who was a good man as well, are most fortunate. Thanks for sharing your excellent examples and this joyful song by Amy Grant with splendid photography.
Thank you for the beautiful memory you shared of time with your dad. It probably brought us all back to special times with our dad. Later today I’m hoping to get a few plants in the ground and it will bring back memories of my dad planting our family garden each year. Hope you have a wonderful day!
Thank you for the beautiful reflection and video.
Tomorrow will be my dad’s 45 anniversary of his passing.
Daily in my thoughts and prayers.
Silent man but powerful in his faith.
Thank you, Sr. Melannie for this memory. In answer to your question of thinking of loved ones on their birth and death days-yes, I do! Especially in the last week. My aunt (my mother’s sister) passed away Saturday afternoon and I’ve been thinking of the family she has gone to meet. While her passing is painful I’m happy for my aunt because she was tired of living in pain and just “wanted to go home”. She is at home with our Lord and her mama and daddy. She had 83 wonderful years.
Hello, all…My Father was called Home 46 years ago but he left me a legacy of how important Church and family are. There were many lessons and challenges, even at a young age. He told us that going to church was not enough. We learned there are lessons there at each Mass to take with us for the whole week…and beyond. I remember daydreaming one Sunday and caught by Dad’s eye. When we got home, he asked me if I was invested in today’s liturgy. I assured him I was. So he asked what the Gospel was about and the three main points of the priest’s homily were. Obviously, I couldn’t deliver, but he gave me an opportunity to think about it and he would be back to hear my thoughts. I sat on my bed for a couple hours. He came back and quizzed me again. I think there were not many days of daydreams afterward and, although I know I don’t grasp everything at every Mass celebration, I try to, at least, focus on one main point somewhere to take with me and pray about. Sometimes, even at 71, it’s difficult to keep from distractions but my effort has always been better since that one blessed Sunday.
I do think of loved ones on birthdays and death days. Many years after my
Mom died our son and his wife choose june 29 as the day their son would be born(caesarean)they didn’t realize it was the anniversary of mom’s passing- it has made an otherwise sad day into a joyful day -our only grandson (7 granddaughters) was born. One of those bittersweet says.
I remember many good times on “the farm” and how loving your father was. He and his brother Hank (my Dad) had the same sense of caring and sense of humor. Thank you for sharing memories.
Lovely reflection! I wonder how often I am gripping the steering wheel, with grim determination, missing the joy of ‘driving’ trusting that the Father has his steady hand and constant attention surrounding me! Thank you! Blessings!
Dear Sister Melannie:
Are we not blessed beyond asking that we had fathers who loved us, instilled values in us and who prayed? My Dad was also a fixer. If something broke, he fixed it, usually making parts. When I was 5, we lived in Utah on 300 acres. It was a short venture due to a record snow storm and our return to the city. I have fond memories of that farm, dad on the tractor, alfalfa fields, dogs, pigs, and a windmill! There was a visiting priest who said Mass once a month at our home and I remember my parents scurrying to get ready for all our “parishioners” and Father.
Fast forward to 2005 after my retirement my husband and I bought land, a tractor and an old house. The many, many hours I’ve spent on the tractor have often been my saving grace. There’s no time when I’m riding, letting the wind hit my face, praying, singing. My tractor has been pure joy. My husband is gone now, but I keep the meadows mowed. At 82, I know my time on my beloved tractor is short so I savor every day I am able to continue! Thank you for your lovely, very special post! Thank God for fathers, faith and continued blessings.
Good morning Sister Melannie:
I loved this gift of your words on fathers. I also remember my dad on his birthday and the day when he died. I was the oldest of three girls and helped my mom care for my dad. He was sick for 15 years before he died at the age of 45. The last 6 years he was blind and he died a month before I graduated high school. You talk about faith and I can remember each Sunday walking him up the hill, to the church for Mass. God and his faith only showed me how important it is to realize God is with us every moment of the day. It was 59 years on May 10th that he died. His life was my image of faith knowing Gid is by my side.
This was a wonderful posting. The analogy is perfect. I love your writings. I think of my departed loved ones way more often than I probably should.
I too think of my late parents too on their birthdays and anniversaries of their deaths. My mother died on June 4, 2012 my father’s birthday was June 12. So June is always a time of reminiscence. Thank you for your beautiful reflection on you father and our Father in Heaven. Spoke to me.
My memory of my dad, who was born August 24, & sadly passed away way too young at age 63 on February 16th, was when he was helping me learn to ride a bike minus the training wheels. I was scared of wobbling & not being able to keep my balance. He assured me that he would hold on to the back of the seat while I tried to find my bearings. Still, I was reluctant to fully trust that he wouldn’t let go too early. He reminded me that “you’re ready to give it a try; just look straight ahead & don’t look back because you will risk toppling over.” Guess what? I was riding my bike & Dad was running alongside holding onto the seat. Once he knew I had this he let go.
I didn’t realize it right away until I stopped to squeal with joy & relief at staying upright! Not crashing into anything, I turned back & saw him a ways back, beaming with pride
Thank you for drawing a connection to our earthly fathers with our Heavenly Father.
I missed having him not around at important times in my life & in my children’s lives, BUT I know Dad was always watching over me, my sister, our kids, & our mother from heaven. I felt his presence & feel it to this day, just like I’ve come to appreciate & be thankful for God in my life.
.
You certainly brought up some old great memories of my ‘dad. We had no farm or tractor
but I can remember him so patient teaching me to drive in a manual shift car in the winter..
Your story is so beautiful, and the song is new to me and I am grateful for all this reflection had to offer. Thank you.
Dear Sr Melannie, Thank you so much for these uplifting thoughts… and the beautiful song! Most especially “Faith means knowing no real harm can come to you because your Father is riding with you all the way” a reminder for me today and learning to trust more in our Father’s will. It also brought back many warm memories of my parents and how well they took care of me and my siblings. Thank you Sr Mellanie, God Bless you!
Hello, Sister Melannie,
I just completed retreat this evening,
My director read your book and shared the same tractor story with me and the meaning of Faith! Very beautiful story about your father and your relationship with the Lord! Then this evening I read your “Sunflower Seeds” just now and again read the story of the tractor and faith! Wow! What a connection with the Holy Spirit and ending Retreat!
Thank you for your inspiring words!
Blessings,
Sr Frances Marie
Thank you for sharing your beautiful reflections of your father. My Dad was also born in 1914 – May 14. He lived in a sod house in South Dakota where they homesteaded. He passed away December 11, 1964. I have masses said for him on those dates. My fondest memories are summer vacations- fishing in Minnesota and practicing pitching softball with him. My older brother stepped up and tried to fill his shoes and did a very good job. I lost him 2016 – brother, father, best friend. It’s comforting to reminisce and feel the love.
My dad passed in early June 2000 and I remember him on both his birthday in December, and the date of his death. He was a tractor guy. When we were young it was a big Allis Chalmers corn planter, which he maintained was too dangerous for us kids to ride. Later it was the ubiquitous Ford 8N, and still later, a Kubota that he would spend all day digging out big rocks for the beds. He’d spend hours working to get the biggest rock that tractor could possibly lift (or drag across the yard). My favorite picture of him is waving from his Kubota just before he died.
Your reflection though, reminds me of one of my favorite poems called Not Forgotten by Sheila Packa,(https://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php%3Fdate=2011%252F05%252F18.html)
And Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s and father-figures in this community!
Karen….I loved this poem! My post prior to yours speaks of this! It encompasses the trust & faith we must exercise with those who love & care about us!
Carol Kapostasy
Karen, I really liked this poem too! Thank you for sharing it with us! Melannie
Dear all readers who commented so far: Thank you SO much for your beautiful responses–especially the sharing of your memories with a dear parent or grandparent. I appreciated the other tractor stories too! We all have much to be grateful for–especially those loved ones who guided and directed us along the way! Melannie
Your reflection on the tractor with His hands around you while you seemed to drive, was deeply touching to me. So our Holy Father does, each day. I’m recovering from cancer surgery and still looking at other uncertainties; I needed the reminder of who has His arms around me now. Thank you and blessings.