Mom is going a bit overboard and has all the Alpaca's penned. She is watching them like a hawk. And when she isn't checking them she has me running out to the barn yard to check them. She has questioned everything we have done. From Shearing to weed control to a vitamin deficiency. She has even dug up her flowers along the fence line because she read that some were poisonous to Alpacas. The flowers aren't in the pasture but they are along the fence line and she said she is just moving them because she isn't taking any chances.
I guess it is Mom's way of dealing with what has happened. Some how I guess she thinks some how she can keep it from happening again. The truth is we can't prevent it if we don't know why it happened. So that brings me back to my question of Why. As for me, I want to try and think of things that I am thankful for. It kind of puts a good out weighs the bad spin on things.
As a Son I am thankful for my Mother who is emotionaly Strong.
And for a Father who corrects me when I am wrong.
As an Indian I am thankful for the land which I come
And for the heavens that watch over me since my journey begun.
As a farmer I am thankful for the rain and the sun
For we need both not just one.
As a country boy I am thankful for the ground on which I live.
And for the harvest that it is sure to give.
As a rancher I am thankful for each animal that we have in our care
And I Pray they will always be there.
And when my time comes to visit the purley gates, I can only Pray
that I am told that my footprints on this Earth will never be washed away.
Author
Christy Straw
Mom wrote that for me years ago and yes it is simple but sometimes it helps to reread it ... Expecialy when the going gets tough.
Tonight Juneau was brought home to rest here on the farm right next to Statler. Before we committed his to the land I did trim the front tough of hair from his forehead for Mom. As most of you know the alpacas were part of the shares and therefor we never kept any. I thought Mom would at least want a little bit to hold on to. And just so you know ... until further notice there will be no flowers along the fence line. Mom is however saying she will put in a flower spot near the spot where we have treasured loved ones buried.
I do need to add one little thing here... And that is a word of Thanks to my "Fairy Godmother" When we got to the Vet's office to settle up and bring Juneau home we were handed a receipt that said the bill was taken care of by my Fairy Godmother... So to you I say from the bottom of all our hearts, Thank you ... It was a beautiful act of kindness.