Anthony was in his 60s when he retired from dairy farming, due to a combination of factors including ill health. Now Ming, at 19, has been forced to retire from his job as dairy hand for our neighbours due to his back. Once he is over this second surgery you never know, he may be able to return but in the meantime he has been replaced.
Ming’s boss’s mother came over just before Christmas with a whole bag of different chocolate treats for him; she is such a gem! Below are two photos she took of Ming milking a little while ago. I was so proud of him walking in his dad’s boots and she is so glad they now have someone who can hang up the hose properly better than Ming – ha!
Despite the sadness that Ming has had to give up a job that he’d only just begun to do full-time, the fantastic thing is that we have gotten to know these amazing neighbours over the last three years and they have given us their friendship and support throughout our various ordeals. Ming said to me the other day that his boss’s mother is like his own ‘second’ mother!
I wish this extended family all the very best for 2014 and we feel indebted to them in so many ways. They are dairy farmers from way back which makes them heroes in an era when this kind of farming has become unpopular (due to the necessary 24/7 commitment).
jmgoyder 
Such a pity he had to give up work he enjoys doing. Hope he gets well enough to start doing it again soon.
How wonderful to get to know your neighbors and the care for Ming they have. He will find his way, regardless of physical limits, it just may take time. Best to all of you at the holidays – Lorian of DogDaz
This is so beautiful dear Julie… How nice to have a neighbours like that… But this is exactly what should be, otherwise why we call them neighbour… I know todays world is not as in the past. But you are lucky dear Julie, how I wished to be there and to be one of your neighbours too 🙂 You are such a beautiful lady who I have met in this world. Blessing and Happiness to you, love you, nia
It is always a blessing to have wonderful neighbors 🙂 It’s always a treat to see pictures of Ming.
Farming is not an easy job. I am sure it was not good for Ming’s back problems. He will find his way in this world with the help of a loving family. It is good to have good neighbors who care, too.
I wish your family much happiness for the coming New Year. xo..dale
Makes me think of how close you became with Anthony’s mom…
Julie, You are a wonderful person, surrounded by wonderful people. Your neighborhood family will support you as you them for years and years to come. Please take care and be safe. — Bill
I think it is the way in more remote areas. It is the same on the Scottish Islands where everyone looks out for everyone else. You realise how important neighbours are to you. Living in a town now, I hardly know my neighbours.
Do you sell your own labelled milk or do you sell it to a larger company who them distribute it? In the UK milk seems to be sold by large companies and we never know the origin of it, except if it is Scottish or English which you can tell by the small flags on the cartons.
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Hope you had a good Christmas. Shaun
Awesome that there are neighbors in the world who act neighborly. We’ve had our share of them–always something to be grateful for.
Now those are what I call real neighbors!
Wonderful neighbors. Impressive photos, certainly supplanted the idea I had in my head of Ming sitting on a chair milking one cow at a time. Sadly Ming can’t do the work but has gained a second mother. Now for him to heal and hopefully find a renewed passion. Love to you all.
Ming looks pretty happy in these pictures. What a great memory he’ll have…of his job and the wonderful people he met. Hope he enjoys his next step/next job as much as this one.
I hope Ming is able to get back to his job at some point it must suck to have to stop working so soon after starting. Ming has had a rough year I hope that 2014 is a better year for him.