Dear Readers:
If you keep up with Mill Stream Farm news, or if you’ve ever had the fortune of bumping into my Mom at the local grocery store, you probably already know more about me than you ever asked. Regardless, my name is Sawyer, and I’m the proud promoter and first “regular” of Mill Stream Farm, and the even prouder daughter of founder Jeanne Scott.
About a week ago I finished my first year as a college student at Loyola University of Maryland in Baltimore! In the fall I intend to declare as a Major in Global Studies with a possible Minor in Writing. Over the course of the year I made incredible friends, embarked on new and exciting adventures, and found that I am much more capable on my own and out of my comfort zone than I expected to be. I realized only this year how important are the tidbits of knowledge and the values that were passed down to me. I experienced firsthand how valuable and necessary patience can be, and I received a helpful reminder in the well-memorized sound of my step-father’s voice calmly repeating the phrase “patience is a virtue”. I finally fully grasped all of the advice I had been given, and I found reason to choose my battles wisely, stay true to myself, and to implement the strength of will and fierce independence that I got from my mule-headed mother. Despite frequent trials, I discovered that my raising and the values that were imprinted on me prepared me to handle every situation with grace and with a level head. That being said, when any challenge seems too overwhelming, there’s nothing that can’t be helped with a quick phone call home to Mama.
One such challenge was simply adjusting to the transition from living in a small-town, surrounded by fields and forests, to living in a bustling city, surrounded by streetlights and looming industrial buildings. The sounds of frogs and crickets outside of my window each night were replaced by sirens and the unidentifiable voices of passersby. While I did fall in love with the “Charm City”, it has been ideal to literally have the best of both worlds at my disposal. Not only can I spend my autumns
enjoying days and nights out with friends in the city, exploring new and unique eateries or museums, but I can also spend my breaks and summers back home enjoying the fresh air, family, starry nights, and the comforts of quiet and nature that I took for granted when they were all I knew. It’s also nice always having a mother who puts so much love and personal care into everything she does, not just for me, but for everyone.
Although I spend the majority of my year in the city now, there’s still something about the ooze of mud between my toes, waking up to the rooster’s crow in the morning, and smelling the familiar aromas of my mom’s home-cooked meals that always resonate with the essence of “home”. I’m excited to spend my summer “back on the farm” as my friends would say, but even when summer ends and I head back to school, I know that even in a big city the backwoods ethics and country work ethic that I was raised with are still relevant and oh-so-applicable. Thanks Mom!
Dear “Middle of Nowhere”, Let’s make this the best summer to date!
~S
Nicely put Sawyer!