Family Farming And Reconnecting With Nature: Inspiring Pandemic Story From Fields To Memories

COVID took away many things from people: lives, joys, and precious moments. Dreams were put on hold. But a coin has another side, too. The pandemic also gave us many things worth appreciating, like precious family moments, the urge to care for others, patience to overcome hurdles, courage to face difficulties, and even the realization that life can change overnight.

To my father, it gave time. Time to do something close to his heart. Before his marriage, he lived in a village where his parents were agriculturists.  From them, he learnt the art of turning barren land into abundant vegetation.

But his marriage forced him to move to the city, where the everyday city rush left his passion for farming far behind.

A chance to return to his first love

With the unexpected announcement of the lockdown, my father, who had gone to his native village in Andhra Pradesh, got stuck there, and there was no way to return. Days passed into weeks and weeks into months.

A workaholic, he became uneasy doing nothing. And finally, along with all my aunts and uncles, his march began towards our farm that was left barren and untouched for several years.

My father’s passion came to life, and all his hidden skills and love for farming finally found a way. Leading his battalion, they worked day and night, following all the rules and precautions necessary at that time. Months passed, and finally a year turned into two.

The barren land was green again with tomatoes, potatoes, green chilli, and coriander. Trees like tamarind, papaya, coconut, mango, eucalyptus, and many more were growing beautifully. It was not just the hard work that gave life to the farm; what was hidden was love, care, patience, resilience, and dedication that produced evergreen results.

Though we were always worried about my father’s health and constantly advised him, nothing could hold him back on the journey he began. I feel so proud of him whenever I remember those moments.

A farm that brought our family together

Later, when the pandemic restrictions eased, our family, along with my brothers and their families, visited our native village. We were so happy to meet him. What I loved most was the eagerness and pride as he showed us his achievement.

We couldn’t believe our eyes, seeing how green and full of life the land had become. I couldn’t watch our farm grow, but I watched my father’s passion come alive.

Discovering the joy of nature

On the other hand, what our children experienced is difficult to express. Raised in compact, scheduled city life, on seeing such a big farm, their excitement knew no bounds. They ran through the farm, touched the plants, plucked flowers, picked vegetables, and did innumerable things. Their discoveries kept increasing with every visit.

I always wanted my children to stay close to nature, which I found missing in city life. Whenever we visited a garden, I would worry about my children getting dirty if they touched the grass or the soil. But on our farm, I allowed them to discover their closeness to nature.

One of the most amusing experiences for us was the huge, thick rope swing my father made for us on a huge tree. Watching children and elders eagerly waiting for their turn to enjoy the swing was hilarious.

My son and my nephew took the responsibility of watering as many plants as they could. My daughter found a different way to keep busy. She used to dig the soil with tools and plant mango saplings. Every other day, she worried about why the plants weren’t growing sooner and wondered when she could get mangoes to eat. She wanted to gift those mangoes to her school friends. When she thought that she wasn’t watering them enough to grow fast, she watered them more. Yes, children have their own way of showing their innocence.

The fun, laughter, and cherished moments of those days are hard to forget. My father’s expression revealed the happiness of a man who has achieved everything. Seeing my children, my family, my relatives, and my father so incredibly happy is the memory I cherish the most. That was definitely our favorite trip to our native village. Every year, we visit the farm that continues to provide us with countless joys and experiences.

The isolation of the pandemic allowed my father to follow what he loved. And to us, it gave a beautiful place where we could forget all our worries and stress and spend time close to nature.

Want to make children fall in love with nature? Discover simple, fun activities that inspire curiosity, outdoor play, and a lifelong connection with the natural world. Read more!

Published: July 28, 2026