As another calving season comes to a close, my husband and I both breathe a deep sigh. While I am only a fringe participant in the operation and support to him, he is sighing with the deep satisfaction of seeing the year of work that he and our family have put into caring for the herd bare its fruit: healthy baby calves.
Calving season started a little early this year, at the end of March, and is about over except for a handful of holdouts. A day in April always ends with, “How many did you get today? Is everyone OK?” My husband enjoys getting up at 4 am to walk through the expectant mama cows, helping the first-year mamas have their calves when they need it, bottle feeding an extra twin (three sets this year), feeding, watching, and constantly assessing each member of the herd. All this work and care for the family’s herd gives him such a sense of well-being and happiness. He passes up so much of the modern world for this intimate relationship with the natural world, and it fills his soul. It is inspiring for a former city girl to witness.
Cheers to spring and all its new life, Melissa.
Comments