Let's Celebrate!

This past year we had the privilege to celebrate milestone birthdays for three family members. Keith's dad turned 90, and Robin's uncles 80 and another 90!! It was a blessing to be a part of those events with family members and friends alike. Sharing in those festivities, started us thinking about how important it is to enjoy and honor the simple everyday events of our lives, not just the special occasions. Life really is a gift to be unwrapped, savored and lived each day to the fullest. The preciousness of life became a reality for us in September as Keith was diagnosed bacteria on his heart valves. This illness included two hospitalizations and a four week intervenes antibiotic in home treatment. Due to the infection, there is damage to both valves of his heart. His strength and stamina have been greatly affected. The doctors tell him he will never regain 100% of his strength and will eventually need surgery to repair or replace the valves. To think that all this started for me with a phone call from Keith saying, "I have a bacterial infection in the heart and they are admitting me to the hospital." It really is true you are only one phone call from a life altering situation.

We are adjusting to our "new normal" of life here at home and on the farm. Since this illness, we certainly view even the simplest of activities with a newfound sense of wonder and appreciation. We never want to take for granted all the magic and wonderful experiences we are able to have by living on a farm. However, when we are experiencing those "magical moments," they often do not feel so magical at the time. One hot steamy summer day, Keith, KK and Zachary were gathering eggs. Keith walked into one of the movable chicken houses to find KK standing there holding a chicken in front of her by the legs. The chicken looked as if it was exercising, flapping it's wings in a steady stroke. When asked what she, KK not the hen, was doing she replied "Look Dad, a redneck fan." One can also find comfort and even celebrate in what seems to be unbearable at the time.

To some, Keith sickness would be another tragedy event in a year of "bad luck." Yet, we have much to be thankful and in fact even celebrate. Compassionate, caring and considerate friends offered to help us during this time. They prayed for us. Because farm chores must be done daily, whether you are sick or not, several came and volunteered on the farm. You know you have the best friends ever when they are out there helping you catch turkeys. Catching turkeys is no easy task. Some of the Tom's, male turkeys, will weigh 25 plus pounds and have a wing span of four to five feet. One of our friends who is a vegetarian and is even more vertically challenged then Keith, insisted on catching turkeys. Keith give her safe and proper catching instructions with a live demonstration. With her new found knowledge and courage she entered the moveable turkey house and eyed her prized catch. She slowly walked to the turkey and proceeded to catch one wing and leg as instructed. She quickly learned why you grab a leg and wing. Her prized catch was one of the biggest Tom's in the house and with one leg in hand but no wing in the other, the Tom soon had the best of her. She was determined to hang on and could only say "OU,OU,OU!" There was one problem, at the site of this we were all laughing so hard we could not help. By the time we quit laughing, and had wiped away the tears, she had the turkey on the trailer. We tell people you may not want to be our friends. You may never know what we may ask you to do.