excited little boys at a toy shop. I met some wonderful people from many different areas. Each person and each tractor as unique as their story, all with one common link – they share the love of the simple life and the appreciation of agriculture. After a short break, we’re back on the road again, out in the wide-open countryside. Driving this slow makes me realize how fast we rush through life. We zip from one place to the next, barely paying attention to what’s around us. We put out one fire only to find another flame starting to smolder. Our problems seem huge, sometimes compounding and overwhelming. Out in the middle of the countryside surrounded by God’s green earth and I realized how we’re each just a tiny speck in this huge world. I thought for a moment, “What would it be like if we didn’t have this?” I thought of those men and women who fought and still fight for us to have this freedom and silently paid them my sincere appreciation as I inhaled a deep breath of fresh country air. It took me until after lunch at a beautiful little country church to truly settle in and enjoy the ride without thinking about my to-do list. Suddenly it was early afternoon and we’ve driven that day for more than five hours. It sure didn’t seem like it. During the ride that afternoon, I had a moment. As we drove down a gravel road winding deep into countryside, “My Old Man” by the Zac Brown Band came across the radio headset I was wearing. I thought of my dad, who would have turned 73 just the day before this ride. Tears started to fall as I fell back into childhood memories and I suddenly felt an intense appreciation for growing up in the country and I realized how much I still miss my dad. Grateful for the years I spent with him, though not nearly enough time. It seems though we’re never given enough time to be with the ones we love. Before I know it, eight hours have passed since we left that morning but it felt like we just left Yankton in our dust. Ask anyone that knows me and they would tell you that there’s no way I would sit still to ride along on a tractor for 75 miles. I’ve completed a seemingly impossible task. “Are you ok?” My husband asks as he studies me. I’m not moving or talking, just gazing out over the crops, taking it all in. I smile at him. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I reply. The skies have parted above us and I’m just letting the sun fall on my face, feeling its warmth coupled with a slight breeze. I’m still. I’ve realized the tranquility and comfort of digging back down to my roots and I let the feeling soak in. Day Two We were blessed with another gorgeous morning for a ride; though overcast skies above us, the temperature was similar to the day before. The drivers gathered shortly after sunrise that morning for a delicious breakfast served by representatives of Titan, a tire company. Entertainment was provided during breakfast while “the pancake man” flipped pancakes across the tent, remarkably landing them on hungry drivers’ plates. Those taking part in the breakfast left the tent beaming, ready for the day’s drive with comfortably-full bellies. I was on the receiving end of some razzing that morning, our group of riders, ducklings if you will, asking me if I felt better. Apparently as the first day turned to dusk and we met back with the entire group for supper, I wore my weariness on my face. I remember how I ended that day. I was hot. And tired. And stinky. But the ride and the lesson it provided me was worth it. vFAST LANE continued on page 23 Did You Know... Dr. Kynan Trail treats benign and malignant diseases of the breast When it comes to your surgery... you do have a choice! NO REFERRAL NECESSARY Independently Owned 2525 Fox Run Parkway, Suite 204, Yankton • www.yanktonsurgical.com Call Yankton Surgical Associates, PC today for a consultation. 605-668-9670 HERVOICEvSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017v7