„Weekend Chaos: No Rest at the Family Farm”

Every Friday evening, as I pack my bag for the weekend, I envision a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. My relatives, Wujek Marek and Ciocia Ania, own a charming farm in the Polish countryside, and they often invite me over with promises of relaxation and fresh air. However, the reality is far from the idyllic picture they paint.

„Przyjedź do nas na weekend, odpoczniesz,” Wujek Marek always says over the phone. „Będzie miło i spokojnie.”

I arrive at their farm early Saturday morning, greeted by the familiar scent of hay and the distant sound of chickens clucking. The sun is just beginning to rise, casting a golden hue over the fields. For a moment, I feel a sense of calm wash over me.

„Jak dobrze cię widzieć!” Ciocia Ania exclaims as she pulls me into a warm embrace. „Mamy tyle do zrobienia!”

And just like that, my dreams of a restful weekend vanish. The list of tasks seems endless: feeding the animals, repairing fences, and helping with the harvest. Each chore is accompanied by enthusiastic instructions from Wujek Marek.

„Zobacz, jak to się robi,” he says, demonstrating how to fix a broken gate. „To proste!”

Despite my initial reluctance, I find myself getting caught up in the rhythm of farm life. There’s something satisfying about working with my hands, feeling the earth beneath my feet, and seeing the tangible results of our labor. Yet, as the day wears on, fatigue sets in.

„Może zrobimy sobie przerwę?” I suggest hopefully.

„Jeszcze trochę,” Ciocia Ania replies with a smile. „Potem zjemy coś pysznego.”

True to her word, dinner is a feast of homemade pierogi and freshly baked bread. As we sit around the table, sharing stories and laughter, I realize that these moments are what make the hard work worthwhile.

„Jak się czujesz?” Wujek Marek asks, pouring me a glass of kompot.

„Zmęczony, ale szczęśliwy,” I admit. „To inny rodzaj zmęczenia.”

Sunday morning arrives too quickly, and with it comes another round of chores. This time, however, I approach them with a sense of acceptance. I’ve come to understand that this is what weekends at the farm are all about—working together as a family and finding joy in the simple things.

As I prepare to leave that evening, Wujek Marek claps me on the back. „Dobra robota,” he says approvingly. „Zawsze jesteś tu mile widziany.”

„Do zobaczenia wkrótce,” I reply, genuinely meaning it.

Driving back to the city, I reflect on the weekend’s events. While it wasn’t the restful escape I had imagined, it was fulfilling in its own way. The farm may be chaotic and demanding, but it’s also a place where I feel connected to my roots and to my family.