Everything Happens for a Reason

" Sometimes people come in to your life and you know right away that they were meant to be....to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be but when you look eyes with them, you know that every moment that you are with them, they will affect your life in some profound way. And sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful, or unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential strength, will power or heart."



Wish I could say the above words are my writings but rather I borrowed them from here because it best summarizes this a little something I'm about to share with you all.

My farmer friend calls this cow an "African Attusa" not sure on the spelling and I was unable to locate anything on the www. This is his pride and joy but will be leaving his farm this week because he cannot afford to keep. He says they are sacred in Africa.


It all started in the summer of 08'. A predator killed one of our ducks and I stopped by his house to see if he had a duck to sell as a companion for the sole duck I had left.

I never ended up getting a duck there but we ran into one another a few times in between. In the summer of 09' he studded out his boar so we could breed our sows. We did not get many piglets in was a great experience.

He stopped by frequently checking on their progress during and after their pregnancies and we visited frequently with questions and concerns seeing how this was our first time.

Then this last December, as posted here I started making and delivering food to them on a weekly basis. Each time I went over we chatted farming and a lot about his medical issues.

LONG story short those weekly visits turned into bi-weekly, every other day and currently twice daily. I have now committed to taking him to his appointments as he really needs someone there to communicate his needs and advocate for what is right. After his last round of chemotherapy he became very ill and was admitted to critical care.He was discharged this past Saturday and I brought him home. We surprised his wife, it was awesome! I was privileged to witness them reunite. Every day he reminds of how grateful he is for the simple things: cooking his wife breakfast, watching the news with her,and just being able to sit around and chat with her.

We just returned from a doctors appointment and he has another in the morning followed by another and another and another. Regardless I'm in it for the long haul. Just thankful to have this old man in my life! My grandfather passed a few years back and this man fills that void in my life. I am also thankful for Maine Man who steps in when I'm at work. Lastly, I am thankful that my children have been a part of this evolving relationship.

P.S. All these pictures were taken at his farm.