More thoughts on growing old in Stardew.
The farmer and their spouse are itching with cabin fever in their retirement from the farm. The kids have taken over almost every aspect of running it, continuing the family business.
However, giving up control of the farm that the farmer raised from the ground up is hard. The farmer insists on walking the property to check that their perfectionist standards are being upheld. The farmer pauses for a moment in the old barn and motions towards the food trough, “you young things, I bet you didn’t clean behind THIS!” They quickly lift the hay dispenser, as if to catch the kids in a criminal act, only to find it completely spotless. Both of the siblings give each other a look, an eye roll and knowing smirk, but say nothing.
After that, the farmer backs off and gives the children more control of running the farm. They learned from the best, you know. The farmer and spouse fill their time with other activities. Like picnicking with the slimes under the mushroom trees, both wearing their matching rings so the slimes know they mean them no harm or starting water balloon fights near the fishing ponds. The fish jump through the air whenever someone lands a blow, splashing water into their tanks. Their favorite pastime, though, is walking the trail through the bee houses with their now just as old pooch. Taking deep breaths of the beautiful flowers that are carefully planted alongside the bee houses. They both take a long breath of fresh air, somehow the honey in the air smells sweeter since the kids planted the flowers around here, and embrace each other. Neither of them know when the other will let go, but in those moments they were both alive.
