Nancy Eberts – Eberts Harvesting, Inc.
I lost a true harvest friend today…one that for over 35 plus years I would laugh, cry, pray and visit with while on our harvest run.
Arlene Jochum of Sutherland, Nebraska passed away this morning and, although I have been praying for her and her family these last couple of days, it still took my breath away and brought more tears to my eyes. I have been blessed with this friendship since I was 19. Myron and I stopped and unloaded in Sutherland for 30 acres of wheat on Arlene’s and Bud’s farm and have been in the Sutherland area ever since. Arlene and Bud moved into town soon after our first year there.
A lot of experiences between the two of us have happened in these last 35 years.
Can I condense them into paragraphs? Absolutely not! They are, however, memories that will be with me forever. Every field of wheat will speak softly of her to me.
Crops, family, grandkids, moving, meals, church, rosaries, agriculture, heartaches, health problems and money…all of these topics and more were discussed over a cup of coffee at her table.
Sweet breads, pies and meals were also shared, served and relished!
It never mattered how early or late or how long I stayed. It never mattered if I was a mess from being in the field. All that mattered was that we could sit together and have a cup of coffee and speak honestly and freely about anything without judgement.
She understood and lived a life of serving, family and work/voluntering. She knew of love and loss and never let me leave town without some food for my kids and crew.
Cards and letters over the years always brought these memories and smiles to my face.
The older we got together, the more the visits meant; rocking on the front porch swing together, going over to the senior center, watching tv or just sitting at the table. Our birthdays were a day apart.
I am pretty sure she had the same blue coffee cup all these years and I would love nothing more than to bring her one last cup…and see that big smile.
Being on the road, running combine and simply not getting in a lot of girl time. Arlene always understood and made me relax a little with her. These last few years were especially wonderful. Our lives slowed down a little. Just sitting and being together in silence was a light for my soul. Our visit in the nursing home was shared with you this summer.
A friendship that for a few minutes a day over a weeks time…once a year…I trusted, I needed and I always appreciated.
Thank you my friend, for loving, for giving, for being there and for the gift of YOU.
HarvestHERs, treasure your friends on the road for they were meant to be on your journey for a reason.
***** There is nothing on earth, more to be prized, than a true friendship – Saint Thomas Aquinas*******
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