Zero Turn
Growing up, one of my chores was mowing the lawn on the John Deere 318. I loved cutting the grass….one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much was because my Dad installed a big tractor radio on the back of the seat; I would crank it up and let ‘er rip. Recently, I had the opportunity to run a 318 again. One of my brothers, sister and I, tagged team to mow the family farm lawn.
It had been many years since my sister and I were on a tractor, so my brother gave us a quick refresher; we were excited to get started. As we set off to three separate areas, my machine felt good, and I was falling right into that familiar place from long ago; following the pattern of the day….north to south. As I hummed up and back, the 318 shut off mid-mow….so I started her up again and away I went, but this time it wasn’t long and the engine killed again. I couldn’t figure out what was going on, so I kept trying to get back on track. It would run again, but then the mower would quit…..WHAT THE? I was sure my brother would think I couldn’t handle the job. Both my sister and brother were mowing away, and I was sitting still, trying to get the 318 running.
My brother got her started and away he went making a round without a problem…..I get back on and made a pass around and off she went…..grrrr….I swear it’s not me! By this time the mower wouldn’t engage, and reluctantly I pulled the 318 back to the barn. My brother decided I could jump on his machine, the John Deer, Zero Turn, and he would edge the driveway.
The Zero Turn doesn’t look like any other mower I’ve used. The engine is in the back and instead of a steering wheel it has two rounded L shaped bars that move up and back, and rotate from the floor that fold around your waist like a carnival ride. Hmmmm…..this will be interesting, but I am willing to learn to lend a helping hand.
I jump on, and my brother says with great confidence, “It works just like a Haybine.” Ummmm…..as I think to myself….I don’t really recall ever running a Haybine in my farm days, but OK. He gives me a quick run down and let’s me go. Still unsure, I grab the bars and start manipulating them and it begins turning in circles in a twerky, jerky, out of control way. By now, I am laughing out loud and my brother is keeping me an arms length away at all times, assuring his safety.
After watching him take a round, he had me practice in the open yard, away from any trees. In just a few minutes of working the bars in unison, I was able to keep the tractor from going into uncontrolled circles, and away I went.
By the time we finished the yard, I was feeling very confident in my new mowing skills on the Zero Turn. However, the important part of this story really isn’t about the mowing antics of the day, but rather about working together as a team to lend a loving and helping hand. Why is it we are always willing to help others, but when it comes to accepting help ourselves it is much harder? If we could realize the joy we feel when helping others is the the same joy others feel in helping us, it might be easier to accept. The three of us loved helping out that day, and there was no place else we’d rather be.
xoxox…..Sheryl