Our Rural Roots

Meredith Bernard, Contributor

If the holiday gifting craze hasn't hit you yet, I'm sure it will soon enough. For me, it happens around Thanksgiving. Before the turkey and dressing have had time to digest, I'll find myself scrolling the interwebs for all the Black Friday deals I need to "add to cart."

This year is going to be a little different for me, though, because last year I made a change that I intend to carry through again (and again and again).

It started with concert tickets for my children as part of their Christmas gifts. While the package was small and not something they could enjoy immediately, I chose to spend money on memories instead. That purchase led to a full-fledged trip out west (the concert was at the famed Red Rocks pavilion in Colorado) and three of the best days we've ever had together, navigating national parks and putting 1,500 miles on a rented Jeep.

After that trip, we found our way to a few more summer soirees at places we'd never been and created more memories that could never hold a price tag. We made our way east to traverse sand dunes where the Wright brothers took their first flight and then headed west again to walk the halls of Graceland. More trips and experiences are now on our wish lists, even though it means fewer "gifts" under the tree.

This farm has given our family so many blessings over the years. But, I'd be remiss if I didn't admit that being tied to the land has sometimes been an excuse to avoid leaving it. Stepping beyond those self-imposed boundaries has bestowed opportunities for togetherness that let us create unique moments and lasting memories.

Sometimes, the best stuff in life isn't stuff at all. So, I'm giving myself and those around me the gift of time. Because, as we know, there's no time like the present.

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-- Meredith Bernard plots her next adventure and tends to farm and family from North Carolina. Follow her on social media @thisfarmwife and visit her website at https://thisfarmwife.com/…

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