Work at what pleases you.

"Qu'il est bon de travailler a sa plaire.  Meme en travaillent en peut parler de Dieu. Nous l'avons fait" - It is good to work at what pleases us.  Even while working we can speak to God.  We have done it.

Charles Fleur de Lys, September, 1952

This note from Charles affirms his joy at finding the farm work so late in his life.  A deeply religious man   that was often seen as being " in prayer" as he went about his work.
The concept of work as part of a spiritual path is common amongst many religions: to use our gifts in work to serve others and for the "greater good".  Mother Teresa would be one of the most iconic symbols of this belief in finding spirituality through work.  For over 50 years she worked in the streets of Calcutta serving the sickest, the poorest, and those dying without dignity or love.  "God doesn't ask us to do great things. He asks us to do small things with great love." Mother Teresa.
To love your work and to use your gifts to serve others brings a spiritual dimension to the everyday.
Nineteenth century Jesuit poet Gerard Manly Hopkins observed, "it is not only prayer that gives God glory but work.  Smiting on an anvil, sawing a beam, whitewashing a wall, driving horses, sweeping, scouring...to lift hands in prayer gives God glory, but a man with a dungfork in his hand..gives God glory too".
Eddy followed in his grandfather's footsteps although I would describe him as spiritual rather than religious.  He approached his work with a reverence, a striving for excellence and a commitment to serve others.  Recently we have had to approach people to recall their memories of our work on the farm.  Their recollations confirmed for me how much work my father did for his community.  My husband, Brent, worked with Eddy for many years both on and off the farm.  Many people commented on this partnership and how well they worked together, obviously expressing mutual respect and love for their work.  Work was an extension of a personal spiritual purpose.  There were certainly times when it was challenging to sense this "greater dimension" as often the work was humbling in nature, such as shoveling or working in a sewer tank.  No project was "too big or too small" and it was a joy to watch them together discussing the "next job".
An essential component of "spiritual work" is that it be "non harming" or righteous and serves the greater good.  I think that is why Eddy was so disturbed when he was first clearing the land on the farm and would push all the trees into a pile and burn it.  He did not like the waste of the good wood but felt so pressed to get the land cleared.  It is often in our work that we have to ask ourselves if we are indeed doing the right thing.

Brent working with Eddy fixing the sewer system at Totem Pole Resort.  Brent actually became unconscious in this hole from the fumes.  Fortunately Eddy noticed and pulled him out, saving his life.  Eddy really did love his son-in-law who he would introduce to others as his son.

Eddy and Brent vaccinating the cows.

A Farmer's Goodnight Kiss

if I had only known that time would be so short,

it is all an aching memory now.

The silver night walk to the barn, the cows ice coated,

their breath lying frozen above them, waiting,

the quick cut through the string releasing fragrant grasses,

July let lose in the December air.

The heat, the push with tractor and bale, all here now,

in the dark of the winter.

The animals so hungry too for that sweet memory,

of warm air and sweet grass.

Then once again in the house, the wood fire smoldering,

the whole house asleep, deeply asleep.

I am deliciously alone now, work done, day gone.

A Farmer's goodnight kiss.