Clarity in the storm
Greetings. I hope this finds you warm and with power, wifi and all the other creature comforts so many of us have been missing during this latest storm.
When I first started writing this, my plan was to share an experience I had during our first, much more comforting snowfall just last month. Then this crazy storm happened and I hesitated … but no I thought, life is like that. The same thing often evokes very different emotions at different times. So here goes.
Last month, we had the first snowfall of the season on the farm. It came on a difficult day and as I watched that gentle snow blanket the farm I felt a sense of peace I really needed. Who hasn’t had that experience, when the world slowly turns white and quiet? It’s magical.
The day started on a sad note. Our lead mama cow who was about sixteen years old was in trouble. This gentle giant was with me from the start, an integral part of the animals that form our long-term Tabula Rasa Farms animal family. Protector of the herd, devoted mother and a personal joy I always looked forward to seeing.
That morning she was struggling. Limping badly, unable to get up the hill and in obvious pain. We had to a make that difficult decision and quickly. We made the call to the mobile abbatoir so she could leave us gently, humanely on the farm that was her home surrounded by family.
Grief washed over me, intensified by the mournful moans of our bull Irish that pierced the air for the loss of his mate. His sadness was heard throughout the farm all the next day. If you ever needed proof that animals feel love, here it is.
As the day wore on so did the sadness but then as evening came the cycle of life asserted itself. A new litter of piglets was born. Squirming, squealing, adorable piglets helped soothe the loss of the day and remind me of the inevitable rhythms of the life I love.
Then came that gentle snowfall. The cleansing calm, a sense of peace as the world turned white. It didn’t entirely take away the grief but it did give me an important gift.
It reminded me of the imperative to try and find something everyday that confirms why I love life. Those are the things that truly matter, the things that build the foundation of strength that keeps us moving forward when things are hard.
Lord knows we’ve all had our fair share of hard lately. Time to refocus on the things we love … big and small. Stay well.
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Clarity in the storm
Greetings. I hope this finds you warm and with power, wifi and all the other creature comforts so many of us have been missing during this latest storm.
When I first started writing this, my plan was to share an experience I had during our first, much more comforting snowfall just last month. Then this crazy storm happened and I hesitated … but no I thought, life is like that. The same thing often evokes very different emotions at different times. So here goes.
Last month, we had the first snowfall of the season on the farm. It came on a difficult day and as I watched that gentle snow blanket the farm I felt a sense of peace I really needed. Who hasn’t had that experience, when the world slowly turns white and quiet? It’s magical.
The day started on a sad note. Our lead mama cow who was about sixteen years old was in trouble. This gentle giant was with me from the start, an integral part of the animals that form our long-term Tabula Rasa Farms animal family. Protector of the herd, devoted mother and a personal joy I always looked forward to seeing.
That morning she was struggling. Limping badly, unable to get up the hill and in obvious pain. We had to a make that difficult decision and quickly. We made the call to the mobile abbatoir so she could leave us gently, humanely on the farm that was her home surrounded by family.
Grief washed over me, intensified by the mournful moans of our bull Irish that pierced the air for the loss of his mate. His sadness was heard throughout the farm all the next day. If you ever needed proof that animals feel love, here it is.
As the day wore on so did the sadness but then as evening came the cycle of life asserted itself. A new litter of piglets was born. Squirming, squealing, adorable piglets helped soothe the loss of the day and remind me of the inevitable rhythms of the life I love.
Then came that gentle snowfall. The cleansing calm, a sense of peace as the world turned white. It didn’t entirely take away the grief but it did give me an important gift.
It reminded me of the imperative to try and find something everyday that confirms why I love life. Those are the things that truly matter, the things that build the foundation of strength that keeps us moving forward when things are hard.
