Nancy Eberts – Eberts Harvesting Inc.
Our anniversary was on November 19th. I remember when we discussed a date for the wedding. Myron said, “It can’t be during harvest”…lol…and here we are still on fall harvest in eastern North Dakota.
I took supper out to the guys on the 19th, as they picked corn into the wee hours of the morning. They will probably be in soybeans yet this week. So our day was busy.
What’s even a little more funny is all of our kids got married in late August and early September. So, harvest doesn’t get in the way, it’s just simply a part of who we are.
Thirty-seven years together on the trail, raising a family, running a business, farming and never missing a Sunday Mass has been “our life”. And, with the passing years, it keeps getting better and better. Humor and faith is what truly makes it work.
We are blessed to have so many friends, customers and family that have shaped and molded us, our family and our business. Things always look better when you look back.
In all that time, things have changed. I started out in tube-tops, driving a single axle truck and rolling the tarp by hand – that means climbing on top of the truck and scaling the sides while rolling the tarp…oh the fun!
I quickly moved to the combine, as my truck driving skills weren’t all the best. If you haven’t heard the story of me clearing out the Kiowa, Kansas elevator, we need to talk. I did improve on those skills and have pulled a combine and driven the semi’s, I just prefer not to.
I ran combine for thirty-five years, but it wasn’t as simple as just getting in the machine and running it. There was still the business side of things, as well as kids and life. Somehow we celebrated all the holidays, enjoyed all the people, places and made it home safely. This year, and last, I have simply taken over the campers, book work and am a trusty gopher and “fill-in’er”. I still hate dirty windows and cabs.
But like this job best. It is an age-related thing. 😉
Looking back, everything kept growing – from the kids to the acres to the machines and headers. I truly worried about going from a twenty-foot head to a twenty-four and to a thirty-foot and up. It was getting through the gates and around the corner posts I feared. For you see, not every field is flat or square. I did, however, prefer the terraces. It was like clockwork…Myron would open the field and I’d take the terraces.
Yes, I got stuck. Yes, I put a few scratches on things. Most of my hours were without auto-steer, a fridge in the cab or a cell phone!
Myron has always been in the lead. I joke that for so many years I followed behind the machines, that when I had to lead I wasn’t sure of the road. Myron, of course, would know every bridge, crossing and places to fuel.
Combining together was always the most fun, especially with our kids. Many a night we would lay in the bed in our camper just giddy over working with family! Now, we spend more time applying ointment and rock tape!
We have shared many hand signals and gestures over the years, but together we got the job done and trained, what seems like, hundreds of men.
Definition of Rock Tape -an adhesive tape that facilitates the Nervous system to control and coordinate movement and help with promoting healing.
One of the sweetest rewards of thirty-seven years is hearing from many of these men and women. We had several babysitters. Now, they are on their own and raising families.
One of my biggest lessons was when I was continually directing our sons in the cart. Myron made me get in the tractor and cart in the fall and I quickly called to apologize to them. I think that is the most important piece of equipment. If it’s running efficiently, everything is.
Saying I am sorry is one of the things Myron has always done. He apologized if things got a bit loud or frustrating – and they do. There is no stopping it. You, your family and your crew are responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment and the operation is always of timely importance.
Whenever I lost trust or became anxious, Myron always kept things moving and remained calm.
We had, and continue to have, lots of fun. Our road trips are still the best and our own camper is by far the best thing! However, sharing a bathroom is still tricky…
The friendships our family has gained and memories we share are priceless. As time passes, you don’t count the bad days…you remember all the good things. Tolerance, strength and independence are all products of this industry.
I have lived with all sorts of critters – bugs and ones with wings. I have lived without a shower for a few days (frozen pipes or no hookups). I have used the tires of a combine to hide behind. I have slept to and from the field in a pickup, on a chair and on the deck of the combine. I have missed things but gained a lot more. I have learned to appreciate the little things. I have especially enjoyed all the big and little churches we have received many sacraments in over the years.
We keep moving forward, we count our blessings not our worries and we will always do it together.
I didn’t know what I was getting into. I just knew this neighbor guy of mine kind of intrigued me (he drove my bus) with his adventures and eyelashes. I said yes and through the thirty-seven years, couldn’t have asked for a better busy!
Because Myron is a fourth generation farmer, we appreciate the harvest even more and understand that it’s more than bushels and acres. He has always done business with a handshake and his word…it’s all you need.
Thanks, honey! You make this journey worthwhile. Busy with you is my favorite place.
But I am anxious to have my own bathroom.
HarvestHERs, embrace the moments – tough and fun – with JOY. It’s what I will continue to do!
Happy Anniversary, Myron!
