“I ain’t asking nobody for nothing, if I can get it on my own.” Charlie Daniels “Long Haired Country Boy”
Or as Bocephus would say: there ain’t too many things these old boys can’t do”.
Growing up on a farm is an apprenticeship in “figuring it out and getting it done.” Learning how a tractor works and building a system to get water out to the herd. Getting the hay done while the sun is shining, getting the animals in from the weather. Pushing past the point of exhaustion because “job wasn’t done.” Looking out for your neighbors but keeping your nose in your own business. Country kid life.
You don’t take what isn’t yours. Sometimes the rains don’t come or are too hard and you don’t get what you hoped for or even expected because of things beyond your control. You do the best you can to get the best you can, have faith, and survive to work another day thankful for what you do have.
You don’t ask for hand-outs, but are ready to lend a helping hand to another. You don’t preach how others should live but model what you have been taught by examples of hard work and quiet dignity. You get it by the sweat of your brow and give to others because that’s just the way it’s done down home.