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Spring: A Season of Contrasts

The spring weather in Michigan varies widely. Some days the temperature will hit 60 degrees and we enjoy the sunshine. Other days we are teased and tormented with late-season snow showers or cold, miserable rain. 

Just as the weather varies widely, so on a farm there is life and death, joy and heartache. We've had a few premies that haven't made it. We've had a couple of sets of quadruplets and many sets of triplets. Occasionally, one will be much smaller than the rest, and need special help.


Sometimes, no matter what we do, the lamb dies. 



This is my son's lamb and ewe--he's had a lamb born on his birthday for two years now. This one was actually one of triplets--two were breech and didn't make it.

It's one of the hard things about raising animals. When a stalk of corn dies (or a whole field, as we had last summer), there is a sense of loss. But there's something different--somehow deeper--about the death of an animal. Something that makes you appreciate life more.

Spring is full of life. And I, for one, am ready for it. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"There is a time for everything, 
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a tie to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace."

--Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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Comments

  1. NicoleApril 1, 2009 at 9:31 PM

    I love reading about the lambs being born. When I was growing up we raised sheep and I remember watching the lambs being born. It was such a big deal to be able to see them born. We did a lot of bottle feeding and took extra care of the lambs that were smaller than the rest. I always loved this time of year as a kid because the barn was full of babies.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 2, 2009 at 7:43 AM

    Such cute pictures! It is hard seeing the animals be born and then die but a great way to grow up. DD has noticed that advantage as she has headed out when meeting others w/o that knowledge. You are a good mom!

    ReplyDelete
  3. DesignsByLashelleApril 2, 2009 at 8:37 AM

    aw what a life you have. I want to think that the little lambs that go to sleep forever would just slip easily away and that they didn't feel any pain. Poor little babies. I agree with you, it does make me appreciate my family. Thanks for writing this.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MichelleZApril 3, 2009 at 11:59 AM

    New life...what a great birthday present.

    I have always loved that Bible passage.

    Also like... Green Acres is the place for me.... maybe one day God willing. :)

    It is always fun to come and read a post here they are uplifting and inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Contemplating CadieJuly 15, 2009 at 2:37 PM

    Touching.

    ReplyDelete

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