I think that farm and ranch related stress is possibly going to kill my dad. Inter- and intragenerational problems with no clear boundaries, structure, roles, succession plans - just farm until you drop over dead. It feels like he is trapped. It is ruining any nostalgia I had left for growing up on a farm.
Honestly I think my dad is kind of going through the same thing. It's just not as much fun for him.
This is prob pretty normal (I have no idea, but it makes sense). Guys have worked their asses off every day their whole lives and don't know or really want anything different. I guess its like the guy that went to his regular job every day until they basically made him retire. Farmer guys don't get that option if they don't have family that want to take it over I guess. One thing I have learned about farms is that the land is really really rough ridin' important to some people in the families. I'm fairly certain my MIL would sell a body part to keep 1/10th of an acre of her family's land. Other people in the family would have sold it off a long time ago.
No one in my generation has really shown an interest in getting into farming - possibly because the older generations never showed any signs of wanting to give up control of any of it.
My dad feels bad - like a deep guilt from shirking duty - anytime that he is not working. He knows it isn't healthy but it is really hard for him to enjoy things like vacations, hobbies, etc. Makes me mad and I feel bad for him at the same time. My grandpa never lost enthusiasm for farming - he just can't physically do it any more. Unfortunately, he never passed control of his farming projects onto the next generation so other people who already have already bitten off more than they can reasonably chew are trying to keep things going for him. It's a real mess and I'm not sure there is a healthy way for dad to extract himself from the situation. I used to admire the way grandpa loved his work and it is good to enjoy your work but there is a point when it all becomes unhealthy.
[gE, feel free to send me a bill for using the board instead of going back to therapy]