Why Do You Want Goats?

This is my answer. I want to live in a world where nature matters. Not just the well groomed, golf course, hiking trail kind of nature. The kind where life unfolds on its own time; where good things happen along with the rough things, and people care about the outcome. The kind of nature where there is balance; give and take, hands on care and consequences.

I want my grandkids to live in a world where they know they have to get up early and feel the day, even if it’s SO cold, or windy, or HOT. Even if they’re sooo tired they don’t want to do it. Where they actually want to care for something besides themselves, and experience the gratitude that comes without words and the feeling of accomplishment that comes without a material reward.

I want them to know they can work by themselves if they have to and appreciate the helping hands that reach out when they show up.

I started out keeping  goats for myself, then two beautiful little people came into my world who accepted my daily routine as if it were a gift to them. And maybe that’s exactly what it is. 

So if I get too old and slow, too weak and tired to do this work; if I find myself staring out the window and wishing I could touch that life again, I hope these children will take me to someone’s farm, maybe their own, and sit me on a bucket and say, “Here Grammy. Breathe Deep.”