What is wrong with old fashioned values?

Obviously I grew up on the farm in Osage county with fantastic parents that protected me from the world and ultimately from myself and those stupid decisions a child can make when everything is so exaggerated by emotions and perceptions.

Mom and dad literally worked seven days a week but church was important for reasons I am not sure I understood as a child and they did not explain the why it was important.  We just went on Sundays, every Sunday, as proof I had an 8 year Sunday school pin for perfect attendance.  Did I tell you we were Lutherans until about the time I was 8 and we switched to Methodist.  What I remember about that is Larry and Debbie wanted to go to Grainola Methodist Church because that is where most of the kids in Grainola went to church.  It was good enough reason for me.  I never asked why.  Now back to the work comment.  We had a dairy and cows give milk 7 days a week and twice a day so there is no choice.  Well, yes there is and mom and dad took that option when I was about 9.  They got rid of the dairy cows except for old Jerz (ey).  We kept her to provide milk, butter and cream for the house.  We counted that she fed over 24 calves in her life plus all of us kids and mom and dad and a few friends and neighbors. 

So what does this have to do with values.  I don’t know, I never asked but looking back here is what I figured out:

• ·       You don’t have to tell people about your values if they can see them every day in your life
• ·       You don’t have to ask about values if you know what is expected of you
• ·       If your expectations are low then you will get low values

OK, so what values did I see:

• ·       Discipline – get your but out of bed and go to work if you want to eat.  They never said it but I knew they believed it was right.
• ·       Perseverance – no matter what the weather was or if I was feeling ill or if they were feeling ill or down/mopping the work had to be done.  PERIOD!
• ·       Share – share what you have with others even if you are a little short.  I saw it literally hundreds of times where they gave to others of their time and talent and food even when they could have used a little help.
• ·       Respect and love God – I don’t remember ever hearing them say, “believe in God”, they just did every day of every week.

Well, I could go on but  I have to tell you my folks were of few words but their actions spoke louder than any person I knew growing up.

So what did I learn about old fashioned values in the Osage?

• ·       Talk little and your words will be heard all over
• ·       Don’t hesitate to do what needs to be done
• ·       Expect the best and you will get it
• ·       Give the best and you will get it

I love the Osage!

Thanks for listening,

gary@thepioneerman.com