When my lover told me that we would have to live on a farm I was thunderstruck. I, a farmer's wife--I should say not! I tried to persuade him to leave the farm and get a job in the city. But he said he could make a success only as a farmer because his heart was there. So I made up my mind I had better teach school and put him out of my life. But I found I couldn't do that. I loved him and he loved me. I couldn't give him up. Finally I decided that I loved him enough so that we could be happy anywhere.
We were married just a little over a year ago. Oh, those first few months! Back from our honeymoon and into back-breaking work. How I hated the farm! I thought my life was ruined. I was so unhappy and I made life miserable for both of us. At last, wearied by my crying and unhappiness, my good, unselfish husband said we'd just have to sell and move to town. In my happiness at the thought of being back in town I didn't see the change in my husband. He was as kind as ever and began making plans for moving. Finally, I noticed that he was not quite his old self. His "pep" and brightness were gone. I began to feel as if I were transplanting an oak which had long ago taken deep root in the forest. But still I couldn't, no wouldn't, see any joy in being a farmer's wife.
Then one day in a friend's home, I chanced to pick up a magazine. It was The Farmer's Wife. In it were letters from other farmers' wives, telling the blessings and happiness they had. At first I laughed and thought they couldn't mean that they were really contented! The more letters I read the more I realized how good and wholesome they were.
"Perhaps I could be happy on the farm if I'd look for my blessings," I said. "I have the love of a fine whole-hearted man. That ought to make me happy."
Right then and there I had my eyes opened. I began looking for joy and now I'm finding it. Day by day I find farm life more interesting and joyous. My "blue days" are getting fewer and my happy days more frequent. When I'm just a little "blue" I get out my Farmer's Wife and soon I'm happy again. I wouldn't be without it and I say, "God bless The Farmer's Wife and its good farmers' wives. Let me be one of you.