And when you're like me--seemingly more able to create and maintain animal relationships more easily than human ones--goodbyes are just downright hard.
Over the past year, we've said goodbye to a few critters on our little farm. Nanner and Cocoa, a 13 year old golden retriever and a 15 year old Australian shepherd, both passed away. They were both up there in years and dealing with various medical issues that were diminishing their quality of life. And so we had to say goodbye.
It wasn't easy. But in the end, knowing that they would no longer be in pain tilted the decision toward letting them go.
Goodbyes are never easy, and my life has had its fill of far more than I would have ever cared for--both human and animal. However, I am grateful that God balances the bittersweet of goodbyes with the joy of "Hellos"!
Kidding season and spring, in general, bring their fair share of new life to our farm every year. And after a long gray winter, new life is something we look forward to. In fact, I would venture to say we NEED that newness to break the spell of sleep that we and the natural world have fallen under during the dormancy of winter.
For example, this year we had the delight of seeing our fruit trees flower for the first time. The sight was another welcome "hello" and affirmation that spring is here. The trees were planted three years ago, and we have waited a long time for this first blooming. With a little more time and patience, we will hopefully taste of their fruit, and once again be grateful for God's creative genius!
A "goodbye" that is just on our horizon involves two of our older goats, Gussie and Moosie. They are wethered males who were the first kids ever to be born on our farm, and they will soon be moving to a new home to help clear wooded land--a job just made for goats, as they are great foragers.
Many people don't put two and two together when it comes to dairy goats. That is to say, in order to get milk every year, your goat has to have kids! And so it is inevitable that the day eventually comes when there are too many goats to keep.
I have been trying to prepare our daughter for the transition....She has helped raise these animals and has a bond with them. She hugs them, brushes them, feeds them, and generally dotes on them. We will see how she fares with the change. So far she is ok with the upcoming move, but then, she tends to process goodbyes later than I do. (And unlike her mother, she doesn't get choked up when Bambi's mother dies....) She may handle it better than I do!
In the end, I want her to understand that while they may be inevitable, goodbyes are not always bad things. (Of course, on this occasion it helps that she gets to keep our two new baby goats!)
And I suppose that is also a lesson I am still trying to learn as well.
Goodbyes can have more meaning than just sadness or grief.
Goodbyes give us an opportunity for expressing thankfulness for God's blessings--those He gives and those He takes away.
Goodbyes give us motivation to be the best stewards of the life we find ourselves in.
Goodbyes help us remember to live in the present, not taking life for granted.
And in the same way that without the bleakness of winter, spring is just another season, without goodbyes, hellos aren't as meaningful.
