As I mourn one. An extra is at my table. One who ponders the questions in the night. Comes to the barn in the wee hours. Wrestling with the heaviness of life. Searching. So many come. Needing. They seek the solace and rhythm of the barn. Something deep and rich. It is truth they seek. Elijah sought truth. His life on this earth plagued with the inconsistencies he saw. You say what you claim to be, but act as if you knew not. Wise beyond his years. Destined not for this world. It is a small solace to know he has all the answers he ... View Post
When Words Fail
For the first time in months. The words don't come. For the past 312 days I have written every morning or evening. The words flow. Cathartic in their way. An outpouring of my soul. The anguish of my heart worked through. But today the words don't come. It has been a hard few days. The missing great. The coming to the close of another year. Reliving each of those events. Longing for the boy we celebrated. Knowing next year we will walk the Senior road again. So many emotions vacillating. Thoughts in a jumble. Heart aching. There are new beginnings. Life is marching ... View Post
Being In It For The Long Haul
I am in this for the long haul. This journey, called life, is only a shadow of what is waiting. It demands endurance. We have a family moving out to farm alongside us. They are packing all they own and know and hauling it across this beautiful country. They have a long haul in front of them. This is a new culture and climate. Many adjustments. They need to be in this for the long haul. This journey in life. It is not easy. It is riddled with strife, heartache and shattered dreams. There is great beauty, and there is deep pain. Yet there is comfort and hope for the ... View Post
Little Giggles And Big Tears. . . Filled The Gaping Hole
It's the beginning of March. And it's cold. The bone chilling, deep freeze of February hasn't lost it's grip. The farmer is so cold. He can't seem to get warm. These are just some of the changes that cancer will make. Sometimes the whole picture is just so overwhelming I can't even look. The strength to move forward waning Today I was reminded of the beauty of relationship and the power of woman being together. The beauty of grace and corporate prayer. I was reminded of sweet children and little laughs and big ... View Post
Chin Up, Shoulders Straight. . .Advice From My Dad
Chin up Shoulders straight Fly right My father's advice through the years. There were many other colorful pieces of advice he would share that I won't mention here. But these. These have stayed with me. I don't know where he got this. His father died when he was 12. So I am not thinking it was fatherly wisdom. My dad is a man of few words. (not always appropriate either, insert wink) Now he is a man who has the memory thief as a constant companion. But he spoke these words to me often enough that they have stuck. This morning ... View Post
Looking Forward To Spring
There is tension as we step towards spring. Equipment needs to be greased and oiled; repairs completed. Yet there is snow on the ground and the tease of spring seems ages away; though it rests just around the corner. All the while the daily milking and chores continue. The longer days give way to cold nights. Warm days and crisp nights brings the flow of sap. All of creation knowing what role it plays. The cows are making less milk each day. This is a journey we take every year. Each cow needs a wee vacation before she ... View Post
