Minnows vs C-section
Last summer the farm got a little dry. One of our pastures only water source is a spring that simply gets too slow when the water gets scarce. So, we use a pond outside of the pasture with a gravity fed pipe into a tank with a float (sounds more complex than it is unless you are the one hooking it up, lol). To help keep the tank clean and fresh we put in minnows (sweet tiny human #3 caught from our home pond). Every time we would check the cows in this pasture all the tiny humans (even the ones not as tiny these days) would run to check the minnows. Counting to be sure they are all alive and swimming just like we count each mama cow. It’s the small things in life that bring consistent smiles.
Well as we got into fall one of our mama’s was struggling to give birth. We tied her up and tried to assist but the calf had her leg stuck in the wrong direction. Luckily, we have an amazing vet who lives reasonably close. He was able to arrive quickly and surmise the calf would only survive with a cesarean surgical birth. Our vet isn’t only amazing at his job, he is happy to have tiny human invade his personal space and watch over his shoulder. He allows them to photograph him for their school projects and ask a thousand questions.
The kids all gathered in awe to watch, except the oldest. He took the hand of the 3-year-old and wandered down to count the minnows. This was the first ever c-section on our farm. Why would he (who LOVES everything farm) miss this opportunity to learn? Because he is not a new farm boy. Sometimes his tender heart and nerves get him. He couldn’t tell you the statistical odds, but he knew enough to guess. There’s a good chance it won’t be a fairy tale ending for either baby or mama. He was too nervous to watch. The farm is magical until it isn’t. Sometimes it’s just plain hard. Hard work and hard luck. Sometimes you stay up all night trying to save a baby or mama and it still isn’t enough. Yet the next day comes and you watch the sunrise color the sky and find hope to try again.
He eventually tired of the 3-year-old questions and curiosity got the better of him. He walked up observing the posture of every person in the corral. It was a good day. Both mama and baby were out in the pasture soaking up the sun with the rest of the herd by later the next day.
If life is giving you hard things, wake up and watch the sunrise. I can’t promise you an easier day, month, or year, but sunrise always gives me new hope.
