Love, Jemima

You know it’s coming.

The date has been circled on the calendar for five months now.

The paper chain hanging over my daughter’s bed, counting down the days, is all but gone.

All the prep work has been done.

She’s been allowed out of her pen, just her, each night to jump up on the milking table, and received a treat each time she has done it. She had her hooves trimmed a month ago. She got her vaccinations at the perfect interval. She was put in her own special pen a week ago. The one with her own hot pink water bucket that clips to the side. Her own feed pan, single serving sized.The pen where golden fresh straw was fluffed just right.

 

And the signs were all there. Her udder had grown to almost impossible seeming proportions.

Yet as I checked on her before leaving for a morning of appointments, she lay there happily chewing her cud. Her deep brown eyes said to me, “No worries. I’m good. You go.”

And is the part that always makes my heart skip a beat. Just for a second.

 

The coming home to two, brand new, warm, dry babies in the pen with her. Up on their feet. Licked clean. Drinking heartily.

 

Then the other best part.

Hearing the bus roar up the hill. Hearing the stomps of their sneakers hitting the deck. A brief second of quiet as they take in the note taped to the door. It reads: “Come to the barn. Love, Jemima” The ear piercing screams of glee as back packs are dumped and they race to the barn. Gently picking up each new arrival and thoroughly inspecting them. Noticing every spot and freckle. Scratches and praise for Jemima. A walk outside for the best spring grass. Laps for the babies to sit on and warm themselves in the bright sun.

 

The newness of the season.

 

The delight of new birth.

The hope of a new life.

All of this will never get old around here.

 

 

Comments

[Sew Create It - Jane]

What a wonderful moment to share! I'm sitting here, drinking my morning coffee and remembering why I love reading blogs over the morning paper! Because they make me smile! Great pictures... especially that last one...that kid looks so content...well both kids do! :o)

[erin]

so sweet! welcome, mary!

[Laura]

How wonderful! Good job, Jemima!

[beth lehman]

How incredibly exciting! Spring and all it brings...

[Lisa]

I like it...

[kirsten]

love! welcome, Mary!

[Heather]

Welcome, Mary. New babies are so much fun.

[cindy baldwin]

This post? It makes me want a farm!

[Elaine]

This post makes me want a farm too! ha Such cute little babies.

[Jennifer]

What a lovely post. Congratulations on the new babies! And welcome, mary!

[Jennie]

What excitement!
An experience I've never had the pleasure of having- but perhaps one day? Life can take us anywhere!

[kendra]

that was beautiful! congratulations and welcome too!

[Beth]

What sweetness! Who wouldn't love spring? Looking forward to hearing more from you, Mary.

[Melissa]

beautiful! what a sweet story :)

[allison]

What a beautiful story - just what I needed to find right now! Thank you (and Congratulations!).

[Amy]

This story made me weepy... it is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing :)

[atouchofdomesticity]

Hello Mary! Oh how lovely - a beautiful spring story to welcome little kids and you too. I'm sure we all look forward to seeing & reading more.

I've been looking out of my window at daffodils this morning, the detritus of a two-year-old's sunny watering-can games on the ground from yesterday, and knowing we have a walk planned to see the first spring lambs today. It's lovely to link through the net to other symbiotic moments, even though I'm an ocean away. Thank you.

[melody]

love love love, lucky girls yours are!

[Jenn]

Precious! Love the image of the sign from Jemima inviting the girls to come. I would so love to live on a farm.

[Brenda]

Welcome Mary, what a beautiful 1st post, I have tears in my eyes xxBrenda

[Melissa]

Amazing, the gift of life. What a wonderful, touching story. Way to go Jemima! And welcome Mary!

[YP]

So cute! Welcome Mary! The more the merrier ...

[Natalie]

This reminds me of the twins my mother-in-law had at her farm and the mama nanny was rejecting the smaller of the two. I got to bottle feed her and love on her, she was SO sweet...this was a few years back. They just recently told me they had sold her. :( Thanks for sharing, it brought back wonderful memories.

[Annwen]

I don't know as I have ever commented here in this space but I am a long time reader and wanted to let you know how much I enjoy stopping by and will enjoy getting to know you too Mary. Such a joyful story to share. My daughter and I were just talking today about how we would love to live on a farm....it will probably never happen to me but she will enjoy this when I show her tomorrow. Thank you both for sharing here.

[Kelsie]

What a great first post! Life, love, and new babies...it's perfect. I am looking forward to reading more! Thanks for sharing.

[Edey]

Welcome Mary. Thanks for sharing and good pictures that you have of the girls with the babies. the tears run down my face. Good job Jemima