Reading the opening post, I had to look and see that it wasn't me posting it as it looks like my early life.
I worked like a rented mule growing up and I enjoyed it all. My old man rewarded us for doing good and scolded us when we brain farted. He taught a lot of good lessons. Biggest was we had choices. Stay on the ranch and scratch out a be nice poor living or learn something and do something else, make some coin and then decide where to go from there. I joined USAF, learned to work on Jet Engines and now 27 years later, I run a jet engine maintenance facility in Dallas. I also bought my own place, much smaller than what I grew up on. I still have the desire to feel the way I did growing up. I also have an 8 year old daughter who I want to instill values in. These same values I learned. Im building fence and working pens right now and trying to get this place in shape to meet my expectations. I try to avoid the mistakes my Dad made and he is 100% behind me in my decisions. I talk to him often and he tries to help even though he is 200 miles away. Some things he is hard headed about and just to avoid a long drawn out ordeal, I agree with him and we move on, but then I do it my way. Dad had 3000 acres with no payment but taxes, selective cutting of timber and some oil pipelines to help the bottom line. I don't have such and Im fine keeping my day job and being on my place. I love it enough to drive 75 miles each way to work 5 days a week. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
I think the farm stays with you no matter how far away you get or how long you are gone.
Best of luck,
LazyP