Find what is important in life

And Make That Happen

Many of us have plans to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. It is a gorgeous day here in New York. Like you, I am going to spend most of the day outdoors taking in the sunshine. So this is a nice short and sweet post. This is about the story of two brothers. A story which seems fitting with the reflective nature of Memorial Day.

For work, I led a farm tour a few weeks ago at Lehning Farms in Honeoye Falls, not far from Rochester NY, operated by two brothers, John and Peter. Something from that day has resonated with me ever since. I’ve got to share it with you.

Both of the brothers retired from long active military service in the Army and Air Force (Thank you John and Peter!). Cattle farming is their second career. The story they told the visitors about how they came to building the cattle farm touched a spot in my heart.

First let me take you to their farm. The farm of Red Angus cattle is small in terms of the herd size, even by New York state standards. In fact, the farm location at Peter’s is at an unlikely location in the village. If you pass by the mailbox marking the driveway, you will easily miss the farm. The farm consists of two locations in the heart of Honeoye Falls village, about 3 miles apart.

Childhood Dream

Growing up in Holley, NY, John and Peter were active 4H members, raising cows, sheep, and chickens. Their dream was to someday raise cattle together.  Their military careers took them to far corners of the world, and they were busy starting and raising their families. After John retired from the Air Force, he settled in the Honeoye Falls area. When Peter was retired, he, too, was looking for a new place to settle. Peter bought a place 3 miles from his brother in 2015. That was the beginning of realizing their childhood dream of cattle farming together.

The next few years were a labor of love to painstakingly turn the property into pasture suitable for raising cattle, shovel by shovel. They started with a few cattle, then slowly grew to 20 heads. They are determined to provide the freshest grass for the cattle they care for. Due to the limitation of the property size, the brothers move the cattle in their trailers between their two farm locations in the summer, to provide their cows with adequate fresh grass. Both brothers still have their day job obligations away from the farm, which is not unsual for New York livestock farmers.

Make the Dream Happen

The love and bond between the brothers, now that each has his own growing family, was apparent. On the farm tour, there were brotherly teases and jabs. There was needling about who ranked higher in the military. Yet there was seamless cooperation in describing the farm operation to the attendees. I teased them that in just 4 short years, they are now hosting farm tours! Through the slight smiles and the earnestness to answer questions, their pride in the farm shone bright. The physical accomplishment of the farm is impressive, but what is remarkable to me is they knew their dream, and they made it happen.

Beyond my sleep-deprived state that day, I felt proud for them. Knowing what is important in our lives is a blessing. Working towards the goal is a privilege. To have dinner with my brothers, I have to travel 17 hours by plane. I look to the Lenhing brothers with admiration and a bit of understandable envy.

Someone once told me, “pursue your dream, or your soul will not rest”. Do you also have dreams occasionally stirring in your heart? Leave me a note below. Love to hear from you.