One of my favorite old Rhode Island Red hens is dying today..... she has been slowly going downhill this week and now she's laboring for each breath and not moving, so I placed her in her favorite sunny spot to spend the last few hours of her life. As I stroked the beautiful red feathers on her back and told her what a good hen she had been, I felt at peace knowing she had lived a good life... she was not dressed and placed on the table; instead she was allowed to live out her life enjoying simple pleasures like finding a bug before anyone else did, occasionally getting a bigger chunk of cornbread than the other girls, and soaking up the sun in front of the barn. In return, she blessed our table with the most beautiful big brown eggs I've ever seen; in fact, they were so large they wouldn't even fit in a normal carton because the lid wouldn't close.
Even though there's a little sadness in my heart, I still feel blessed...today a little red hen reminded me that living a "good life" doesn't have to mean an extravagant lifestyle some people only dream about, traveling to exotic places, or retiring someday to a life of ease... it can also be an ordinary, everyday existence that is spent finding joy in simple things, giving of yourself to those around you, and being grateful for the gifts you've been given.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Oh, thank you for sharing...she is so sweet, we have experienced this too. Isn't it amazing how you come to love them?! The animals are such precious creations of God, given to us for comfort, joy and love as well as usefulness...what a kind gift!
ReplyDeleteCome say hi :D
Amen to all you said - we can't wish they'd linger when their time has come - a warm spot in the sun and someone murmuring they appreciated you - all any of us could ask for
ReplyDeleteAhwwwwwwwww, poor girl! I dread the day when my get old! :(
ReplyDeleteVery sweet post. RI Reds are my favorite. We have 20 of them.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a beautiful but sad post. I agree with you and you wrote it so well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Have a blessed weekend.
Paula,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts today. You should be a writer - the way you can express heartfelt thoughts to paper.
I love you,
Mom-in-law
Paula....i'm so sorry!!! She looks like such a sweet girl.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful post and SO very true.
Hugs to you!
Doreen
That was a lovely post. I hope someday somebody does the same for me.
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Lisa
Rest in Peace little red hen.
ReplyDeleteMy little girls and I just bawled and bawled over this one. We have a "Little Red" of our own and we're so grateful for her.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post - I am in tears. You are so kind to have put her in a sunny, warm spot. How like you to think of her comfort and to sit with her - it shows your kind and beautiful heart. God is so good to give us all these beautiful things to enjoy - even if for a short time. I needed to hear the lesson about being satisfied with a simple life - thank you so much for sharing your heart!
ReplyDeleteHugs!!
Paula,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that the little hen is passing away today. She's such a beautiful Rhode Island Red hen and I know how much you love her and will miss her. Animals have a way of just capturing our hearts. I'm really sorry that she's passing. Animals are such a gift from God.
Oh I so totally agree! Amen to this post! I believe the best life is the one that is lived the way God intended it.
ReplyDeletePS: Can I copy your bee thankful pic to my blog??? We are beekeepers and it would really fit my theme. Thanks.
Lori
Paula, you are so right. I lost one of my old Rhode Island Red hens this week too. She had a long and happy life of chasing bugs all over our yard. I only have one left, but I have some young ones getting ready to start laying. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Winona
ReplyDeleteAw, Paula - I'm sorry. It seems like she's lived a full life and had some pampering on top of that. It's hard to lose them, I know. All our creatures are special, even the livestock. She looks like she's in a comfortable place and I hope she will not linger.
ReplyDeleteI love your analogy to our lives, too.
What a lovely way to look at life. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIf I had a chicken, I'd want one just like this...living a quiet life to the fullest and to the end.
ReplyDeletethinking of you...
I'll be sad when Dana, my gimp white leghorn, dies.
ReplyDeleteYou have wonderful insight, I needed that today.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet hen! She sounds like she had a wonderful life with y'all!
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad. I know the little red hen had a wonderful life on your farm. What a beautiful post Paula.♥
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. I know you will miss her. I'm glad she has had a pleasant life!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Lorilee
If only we could treat humans as well as we do our pets. Sometimes it is just time to go. A nice sunny day in the sun to warm your bones and peace.
ReplyDeleteKelly
What a lovely tribute, what more could be said about a sweet old hen that would matter? She is loved, appreciated, and mourned.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the poor health of one of your dear hens. What a loving "hen mother" you are!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. It is sad to lose an animal friend.
ReplyDeleteShe did have a good farm life.
What you wrote is is true.
Pam
OhMy Goodness sweetheart...I'm so sorry! What a blessed life she's had, indeed!
ReplyDeleteBless Your heart...hughughugs
Paula, that is so sad. But what a great life she had living under "your" roof.
ReplyDeleteI went out to the chicken coop and found one of my hens dead. Don't know why...didn't see anything wrong with her, and she was young.
This is the part I hate, about raising chickens.
Sorry for the loss of your little red hen. Wonderfully written post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on a good life. They are so true.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of this loss, but the lesson is a good one. It reminds me of my own mother, who died three years ago at the age of 57. It's not the quantity of years, but the quality of living that you fill them with. And it's the simple pleasures in life that are very important.
ReplyDeleteHugs!!
What a sweet and touching, post, Paula. It is not always easy losing them, because we lose a little part of our everyday life with them, whether a chicken, cat, dog, etc. I'm sure that she loved that you put her in her favorite spot and I'm glad she had such a good life!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your red Hen, they do become so much a part of our life, and like you said, she did not end her life roasted. I love the simple life and would not choose it over a fast paced jet setting life style. Hockinson Farm Girl Florence
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your favorite hen. How wonderful you were with her giving her loving words in the warm sun. Our pets lives are way too short.
ReplyDeleteBless her little chicken heart, and you too, for being the perfect chicken Momma. She had a wonderful life and will surely make it to chicken heaven.
ReplyDeletePrayers and hugs,
Mel
Paula - I guess your hen went on to chicken heaven. I hope it was easy for her.
ReplyDeleteI hate to comment about tamales in the same post, but I'm in awe of you making them. I have made them a couple of times but that was before I went back to work. Maybe I can do it again when I'm not working anymore. I love 'em. Do you have a great recipe? I prefer pork and/or chicken. Wonder if they'll ship well??? hmmm..., maybe I need to put in my order now?
Oh Paula I am so sad for your hen. You are right, the simple pleasures are the best. She was given a good life and gave her best eggs to prove it. God Bless
ReplyDeletePaula, I'm sorry about your sweet hen.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Pam
Awww-I'm sorry her time has come-but I'm glad you've had the joy of having her in your flock too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautifully written write. How sweet of you to give her the sun to shine upon her & comfort her. Sorry ...
ReplyDeleteTTFN ~Marydon
You have given her a good life! We allow our girls to live naturally and die naturally. Assisted living is needed for animals, too! The sunshine will allow her to sleep peacefully!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry; it's always so difficult to lose a friend, even a pet companion friend who earned her keep so well. How lovely was her going away, due to your kindness.
ReplyDeletePaula,
ReplyDeleteI sure hope the little chicken made it. I've been thinking about her. THanks for visiting my blog. I hope you have a great week on the farm.
Oh, Miss Paula...
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your loss. You're such a good mommy to all your animals.
I get scared sometimes that maybe this dream of mine (of having farm animals) is going to be too much for me. I mean, animals passing away is just so emotional. It's real easy to say that I can handle it and "that's life on a farm" but when our puppy passed... it was just almost too much to handle for a bit. I'm going to have to get stronger, like you, if I'm going to make this work.
Thank you for being an inspiration!
I pray that you are healing in God's warm, loving embrace as I write.
Many Blessings,
Julie
Oh, I know your sadness. It goes with that saying that there is a time to every season....a time to live and a time to die. I am always sad when one of my chickens die. Loved your words. blessings,Kathleen
ReplyDeletePaula,
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching post! I am so sorry about your hen, but I am also happy she lived her life with someone as caring and special as you are!
Take care friend,
Tracey
Hi there. Just found your blog. So sorry to hear about your Red Hen. We recently lost our RIR and she was the sweetest of our bunch, a real people hen. :(
ReplyDeleteI agree --- life doesn't have to be extravagant to be full of joy. Just add a few animals!!
Stop by to visit my blog when you get a chance.
Best to you.
Bridget
Awww Paula, how sad.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard when our furry n feather friends pass away.
I have one lil grey hen who looks awful too. She's so pale it's unreal. I know that soon, I'll be saying goodbye to her as well.
You're special kindness to her makes me smile.
Big hug,
Lea
I was touched by your post...we did the same for our dear cat we lost last year..we knew the end was coming so let him out in the back..he was so weak he couldn't do move but we laid him in the sun and he enjoyed watching the birds at the feeder and the sun on his back......I told him that he had been a wonderful companion and a good cat...that we were sending him to Jesus and to curl around our Saviors scarred feet.......
ReplyDeleteI miss him still...there are some animals that stay with you and I know there has to be a special place in heaven for these special ones....
blessings
ReplyDeleteamen
gp in montana
You know Paula...i just love you...
ReplyDelete