A combine, my boy and a special moment.

Last Saturday night Adam and I were driving South on Patterson Road, headed towards Gun Lake Campground for the annual Trick-or-Treat event. Jeff stayed home with Miles, who was home sick with a fever.

We were chatting with the radio off, windows down, and sucking in the last of the unseasonably warm air, when we spotted a combine to the right in the distance. Knowing how much he loves combines, I pulled off on the shoulder and we sat there, watching this combine work over it's rows, from right to left. Turn. Left to right.

I dare say we were both mesmerized with the combine in that moment, but for different reasons. Adam was trying to figure out the inner-workings of the machine out, talking about parts and wondering if it had a headlight in case it got dark outside. I was savoring the magic of the glorious background the leaves on the trees created for the combine. Reds, yellows, browns. It was all made richer by the warm fall air that was wafting through the window. I wondered what the driver was thinking about, as he was working his way through the field. Was he listening to the radio, or simply the hum of the machine? Did he find the job as relaxing as he made it look, or was it just another "chore" to be checked off his presumably long list? Did he spot us looking at him up on the hill, and more importantly, did he have any idea that his work was making an impact on a little boy, watching eagerly from afar?

Funny how a simple thing like stopping on the side of the road to watch piece of farm equipment can turn into a memorable "moment" with your child.

Soon the hopper was full with whatever it was full of and the combine turned to go back to where it came from. We drive off towards the campground, Adam talking about headlights and me thinking about how God shows up in the funniest of places.

I wonder where I'll find him next?