Saturday, April 12, 2008

Mini Van Momma

I swore I would never own one and today we bought one. There is a point in life when you give up on doing things based on looks and ego and you do what is right based on practicality and comfort.
We didn't plan on buying another vehicle until later in the year but the opportunity arouse and the price was right. The vehicle came from a friend of a friend. It was his wife Linda's van but sadly she passed at the young age of 45 from cancer. I was a little reluctant to buy it at first given the circumstance but I knew that he had planned on selling so I thought I might as well be the one to buy it if it is going to be sold. When we were at the house we chatted a bit while 2 of their 3 young boys busied around. Just before we left as we were talking about Linda the 4 year old looked up at me and said, "I really miss my Momma." My heart sank! Shortly thereafter we headed out the door and I got into the van and I suddenly was overwhelmed with emotion. I held it together and drove out of the driveway as Dean and his oldest boy watched me. The moment was surreal. By the time I arrived home just a few miles away the tears were flowing.
It is amazing how many people are affected by the death an individual, even those that do not know you.

Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality. -Martin Luther King Jr.

On a lighter note the kids bought their first four wheeler. Mom fronted them some money so they will being doing lots of chores throughout the Spring and Summer to get caught up. They are still in the negative twenty something from the goats. For the last year or so since they started their chore board I have always owed them money now the tides have turned! I am excited that they have this because they will be able to come out back with me now when I go jogging. Last summer Luke joined me some but really was not able to keep up the pace. This year his sister can give him a ride back if he gets tired and Mom will have no excuses to not get a good work out in.
Below is a picture of a chicken pen that John is creating. I cannot wait to get them all out into the fresh air! We have sold all 200 of our last shipment of chicks except for the 8 I kept, we are still getting tons of calls. Someone drove 1 1/2 hours today to pick up our last 20 chicks.
























Some of our Rhode Island Red girls

We did lots of yard work this afternoon. Luke was helping me by moving some rocks. He said "does this count as a chore?"













This is the duck pond, not too long before the ice is out. Bam Bam & Pebbles should be out here before the week is out. Horray for them and us!















They are already catching critters!






















The back pond has a ways to go until ice is out!

6 comments:

Amy said...

The story behind the van brought tears to my eyes, and I don't even know your friend. Yes it's true, what effects one effects us all. How incredibly sad that those 3 boys don't have their mama anymore.

On a lighter note, your chickies look great. Thanks for the photo tour of your place, too.

Robbyn said...

What a beautiful post. It's interesting how you got your van...we had a similar experience. Years ago, in my first marriage, we had just been approved to foster two little boys, but had to get things together very quickly to do so, including transportation (went from three of us to five overnight). One of our family friends had cancer, and he and his family had several vehicles. They had to reduce their estate in order for him to qualify for the cost of the surgery, and they came over one night and GAVE us the van. Our friend ended up losing his battle with cancer, and that beat up old van always carried such very special and bittersweet attachments with it ...every time I drove it with the expanded family, I ached and felt grateful at the same time.

I hope it's ok, but I've linked to your blog in recent blogroll update post at my site...we enjoy your blog very much!

Anonymous said...

Wow, how emotional that was. I am sorry for your friends loss.
We love having our mini-van, but I too have always said I will never be a mini van mom but rather a truck mama! Guess what I got for Mother's Day last year? Yeppers
We love it though and it does come in handy. The truck will have to come later.
Love the pond you all have there. My daughter would be doing the exact same thing your two were doing in it:) Enjoy the weekend

Country Girl said...

Thanks for everyones responses, I love to read the comments. Robbyn you are more than welcome to add us on your blog roll, we already have you on ours and enjoy reading yours as well. Thanks for sharing your special story!

VisionaryRN said...

You are killing me....you know how it is when it comes to kids! Guess we need to realize how lucky we are to be healthy and present. Just need to be very mindful of our blessings...family and friends! Thanks for being such a wonderful friend! My life has been very deeply enriched by our ability to relate to one another. You are a true gift! PS: welcome home Mags! Say hi to my Mom after you say hi to Kim's grandparents!

Country Girl said...

visionaryrn thanks for the sweet response. You too hold a very special place in my heart and I am very thankful of our friendship!