Mother Nature at its Finest

So many tears shed over the past couple months, as lives (human and furry friends) come to an end.  I couldn’t imagine losing a parent at such a young age like some of my friends have and just losing my old pony Theodore and my calf was enough to make me want to stay home from work for the week!  It is sad to think of lives that have ended, then I see newborns come into the world in the same month – new children, new calves, new lambs, new goat kids, and a brand new foal. 
 
Seeing a healthy critter born and adjust to its surroundings is one of the best sights one can ever experience.  Mother Nature is such a beautiful thing and is definitely the boss of us all when it comes to new life, lost life and farming.  I sat in the stall and watched the little filly interact with her mother, pop around in the straw and enjoy all of her senses.  It is easy to tear up, but I wasn’t sure if they were tears of joy or tears of sorrow.  As I thought of my friends losing their parents and my old Teddy flying over fences and following me around the pasture as a little girl, I had to smile at the sight of new life because everyone and everything began at that stage…  We all have memories of family, memories of friends and memories of animals that have become significant parts of our lives.
 
One evening after work I went into the field to visit my (other) old pony, Honey, and see if she was missing Theodore as much as I was.  Then, I proceeded to the entrance of my parents’ house where my one year old niece stood with her arms wide open and a huge smile on her face.  A sad face turned into a happy face in the blink of an eye, as I witnessed the innocence on her face and the realization that she already knows that a hug can bring a smile to someone’s face instantly, just like the excited and curious filly brought me instant joy.       
 
It’s been a month of ups and downs, funerals and birthday parties…  While celebrating a 2nd birthday a couple weeks back, I was silently overwhelmed with the excitement on all the kid’s faces as we all gathered, ate and spread gifts and wrapping paper everywhere.  It was a reminder that these children have so many wonderful years ahead of them to come and those that have passed had so many wonderful years behind them.  When one door closes, another one opens and we go with the flow of life and nature – that rings especially true on the farm!