A tribute to our little buddy

March 1, 2022

FINAL UPDATE ON THE LAMB:
I am very sad to say that our little buddy did not make it. Though he had a pretty good day on Sunday, he took a turn that evening and never recovered. He was a fighter, so we fought with him and for him every step of the way. He was going to be a permanent resident and become our farm mascot. We so wanted him to make it.

Life is precious. All life. We can too often take it for granted or be dismissive. None of us can give life. We can only take it. Even with these sheep, I cannot make lambs. I can make arrangements and bring all the players to the table, but I cannot make them give me lambs. Even they themselves cannot give life. The Lord does that.

I spared him. Not gladly, but dutifully. I did what had to be done when mercy demanded it. And I don’t mind telling you, I cried.

Little buddy was only with us for one week. And though his brief life was a constant struggle requiring almost every spare moment we could afford and long nights of interrupted sleep, he brought us joy. The joy of seeing a new life and the creation of priceless precious moments, unscripted.

Like the time he peed on my foot while I was making his bottle. Or when he would wake up at night as he slept next to the bed and make me reach down with my hand to comfort him before going back to sleep. Or just laying on my lap while I worked. Or, on his good days, when he would follow Debbie and I around the house like a puppy. Or, when he and our grandson were just as curious about the other. I can only imagine how fun, and funny, he would have been later.

Because of that, our efforts were not wasted; they were rewarded with memories we will cherish for years to come. And his life was not a waste. We will be better farmers because of him.

Thank you all who said a prayer for him.

Good night, little buddy.