Packing Parachutes

We opened a lot of mini bulk soybean seed bags this past week. Some of them open right up with one pull on the cord. Others are ornery, even difficult, depending on how they were packed. Occasionally we would just cut the bottom open with a knife. The bags and opening cords reminded me of parachutes which reminded me of a story I heard.

Charlie was a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. On his 75th mission he was shot down and had to parachute in a rice paddy field while being shot at on the way down. He survived and was a POW for 6 years. Many years later he and his wife were eating at a restaurant in Kansas City when a man walked up to his table and said, "Hey, weren't you the fighter pilot that flew missions off the ship Kitty Hawk? And didn't you get shot down? And weren't you a prisoner for several years?" Charlie answered that the man was correct and asked how in the world did he know all that? The man answered, "I packed your parachute. It must have worked". All Charlie could do was to stumble up from his chair, grab the man's hand, and thank him for his faithful service those years in the bottom of a ship folding and packing parachutes.

Who do we seldom think about that packs our parachutes? How often do we take folks for granted that impact our work and our lives every day? How many times have we walked right by people who help us without even saying "Good morning" or "Good job" or "Thanks for what you do"? Parachute packers serve and seldom think of themselves or ask, "What about me"?

 Last Friday after school, and then work, the our older grandkids called and asked if I would help them start a bomb fire because they were having friends over later that evening.

 This little guy in John's hands was chased out of his home by the fire. Two years ago last Friday BJ and Cassia's family lost their home to a fire. One year ago on this same day they moved in to their newly constructed home at the same location.

Last Friday was our helper Jim's birthday. It was Teri's birthday who came and picked up her seed corn. It was also Kurt and Karl's 30th birthday. I remember 30 years ago I was planting corn in a field that is now Otter Hills just east of Oskaloosa. We were needing a rain badly. Jan called on the 2-way and said we could go to Ottumwa anytime to start delivery. I asked her if I could finish planting that field. She agreed. What a trooper of a wife. It started raining around 5pm as I was leaving the field towards home. Kurt was born at 10:45 pm weighing 8 lbs. Karl was born at 10 minutes till midnight weighing 9 lbs. I drove home from the hospital in the rain thanking God for 2 more blessings of children and 2 inches of much needed rain on the same night. 

So much has happened in 30 years. So many folks have helped pack my parachute. Not all landings were smooth or soft however the difficult landings have helped mold my character, taught me my dependence on God, helped me appreciate others who have helped, and have given me empathy for those in need of help. One evening I asked the grandkids helping to come in to the house with me to see what Grandma might have to eat. As I saw their boots sitting together by the door I thought how quickly they are becoming men. Am I taking advantage of opportunities to help pack their parachutes? Though not knowing anyone was coming in Jan rolled out enough food on the counter to satisfy everyone.

We had to have a pit stop this past week. The inside guide blocks were coming off a track on our field cultivating tractor. Obviously tracks get replaced in pairs. One of those unexpected expenses. CFI is a family owned tire company. I am aware of four of seven siblings and ten nephews and nieces working together in that tire and track business. Thanks for the picture Kasey.

This past week my job was to try and keep everyone running with fuel, seed, parts, vehicles, and occasionally food. One evening I stopped at Georges in Pella, picked up four pizzas, and hunted up the crew. Around Galesburg Karl was spraying with Jim tendering him and Andy was field cultivating. 

Kasey and Pablo were also in that neighborhood spraying. We stopped and took pictures of a gorgeous sunset.

The guys planting were in varying locations. BJ was planting corn near Otley. Kurt was custom planting corn north of Pella. And Alex was planting beans moving from south of Fremont to south of Oskaloosa. Matt and John also helped keep the guys in seed. 

 The first planted fields have been in the ground now for about two and a half weeks and are just emerging. Thanks for the picture Andy.

Most of our soybeans are no till planted. Below Alex is planting a field for BJ just south of Oskaloosa into cover crop which either has been or soon will be sprayed.

 I snapped this picture in the office one evening. Malaki's eyes say, "I've been helping my Dad and I'm tired". The cat's eyes are saying, "I came into the office for some attention and got more than I bargained for. I'm stuck".

The pre-K through 4th grade kids at Oskaloosa Christian did an excellent job with a musical about the story of David and Goliath Friday evening. Kudos to Cheryl and teachers who did a great job of getting the kids excited to sing.

Seven years ago Josh helped us in the seed shed while he was between jobs. Today he is the parts manager at Van Wall Imp, our local John Deere dealership. We do business on a daily basis. He as well as Randy, Dean, Ottie, Jacob, Zach, Carl, Dave and Nick keep us going or help us get going with minimal down time working extra hours and going the extra mile. Gavin and Cody with Ziegler help keep our Cat equipment running. Robin with P + K Equipment works on our sprayer and dry spreader. Chuck helps Mike on the dozers and construction equipment. Brent and CJ bring us diesel fuel every day from FS. My point of this story is that these folks and others pack our parachutes most every day, keeping us in the field behind the scenes. Thank you.

 Wrapping up, are you a parachute packer? This job description is best defined as behind the scenes. Caring about and serving. Doing things to keep others going. To keep them from crash landing. It can be professionally or personally. Playing music on the radio. Keeping the lights working on ball fields. Teaching kids at school. Being a supportive spouse. Being a care giver to a loved one. Helping come up with food for the world or coming up with food for grandkids. Helping change the culture or helping change a diaper. Helping make a difference in folk's lives here on earth. Helping make a difference in folk's eternity after this life. Make next week a good one.