Well, a week ago our family awoke to the sad news of the loss of one of our younger ewes. I had fought the fight with her overnight until 3am and we had lost. The whole family had helped diligently to aid her in her struggle, so the loss was painful…It was Ash Wednesday…it seemed an apropos day for such a sad event…
Fast forward one week later…we awoke today to new life! One of our rabbits kindled early this morning and had 3 adorable pinkie babies, and her friend bunny had 6 of her own a few hours later!
Joy of new life displaces last week’s loss…the children begin to look forward to snuggling a baby bunny in a week or so when they are oh-so-soft and cuddly. There’s enough to go around, and I know that our family’s gatherings in the family room will soon by including a bunny on every lap!
That’s life (and death) on the farm. Important lessons learned all the time. We learn from the losses…Oldest daughter who wants to be a nurse draws her first syringe of steroids and injects them into the IV port. Oldest son, training to be an EMT, is sorry that he missed watching us put an IV catheter into her. Younger children warm her and hold IV bags, legs, and her head and make sure that she is comfortable. We work together as a team. I am blessed and I try not to blame myself for this loss.
And we are consoled today by new life…pink, squirmy, delicate, new life…
Morning Star Meadows Farm 