Jan. 20, 2024

The go-to response from some people when I mention how much I struggle with winter is, “Well, why don’t you just move somewhere else?”

As though family, money, and work weren’t things to be concerned about. But there’s a bigger reason than those to explain why I stay here in northwest Vermont, even on days like today when the temperature barely nudges above zero.

I was reminded of that reason this morning.

There was a big barn fire the next town over from us. In the town where I teach. The barn – 20,000 square feet for housing cattle – was a total loss. Out of hundreds of cows, only 30 or so were lost.

In the grand scheme of things, it could have been much worse, but I can tell you as someone who grew up on a farm, losing just one animal to anything hurts. It hurts your big ol’ heart, and it hurts your paper-thin bottom line.

Later in the morning, we went out to run some errands. As we drove up the main route, I could look across the Missisquoi River and see smoke billowing from what had been, just three hours early, a perfectly good barn.

I was worried because the cows that had been in that barn were turned loose in an attempt to save them. In turn, though, that put them out in the bitter cold, their senses heightened and nerves frayed.

That’s when I saw the cattle trailers. Not from the farm experiencing the fire, but from neighboring farms, driving out to help round the cattle up and bring them to foster barns to be tended to.

I don’t know what went on behind the scenes; what calls were made or who talked to who. But I do know that what was happening was a perfectly natural response in a place like this. Something bad happens, and family, friends, neighbors, and strangers step up to help out. It sounds like a cliche, but that’s only because it’s true.

What’s more … everything that was done to make sure those cows were taken care of, it’s going to get done multifold for the farmers and their families. I don’t think I’m being presumptuous in saying that when the kiddos who love those animals return to school, they are going to be embraced by a school community that will do everything it can to make things better.

And that’s why I don’t split for a warmer climate. Today was the coldest day of the winter so far for us, but the spirit of community hasn’t been this warm in a while.

No, I cannot forget from where it is that I come from

I cannot forget the people who love me

Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town

And people let me be just what I want to be