I woke up at 3:30 am this morning to a winter wonderland. Partly because I had to use the bathroom(lol), but the other half was the anticipation of snow coming. I knew how much my kids wanted some this year and as I peeked out my frosty bathroom window, there it was…a winter wonderland.
After an hour of laying wide awake in bed, I checked on the new girls in town (aka: our baby girl ducklings) all nestled in their cozy brooder, said good morning to them, checked their heaters food, water, and made a cup of coffee.
YESTERDAY WAS HARD
We got a call around 10:30 yesterday morning that we had some livestock to pick up at the post office and we all cheered. They were here. I guess it felt real then. We were really doing this…building a farm. In my mind, having farm animals is that step. You know, the one that makes it feel like it’s real… it’s tangible. We were getting ready to take care of our first farm animals on our dream land. You can read more about the ducklings here.
Scott & I picked up that brown shipping box and held our breath. We knew there was a possibility not all the ducklings would make the long haul and we were right. One tiny brown duckling (Khaki Campbell) was gone. It happens, but it doesn’t make it any less sad. Noticing the health of the others, one tiny little squeak grabbed my attention. Gosh, she’s so small. Minnie was her name, in which the name was promptly given to by Ella.
MINNIE
I did everything in my power to save her, but in the end, she was just too weak. Late last night with pjs on, the kids buried her under one of our trees and a stone was placed on top. I held it together until Jackson (our almost 10 year old) started to cry. When he cries, it’s down to his soul cry and I instantly joined him. We explained that this was part of living on a farm. Life, death, and everything in between will flow through this land, and it’s ok. It’s ok if you cry, get angry, and grieve.
It was a life lesson that I’m proud they got to witness. Things like this make kids compassionate, have a better understanding of the circle of life, and my prayer is it makes them appreciate what we care for.
THEN THE MORNING CAME
“For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5
Could that bible verse not be any more perfect? Awoken by a winter wonderland, making everything white, new, and absolutely beautiful. I couldn’t help but to be grateful. Joy does come in the morning, even after a hard night, season, year, all of it.
