Friday, July 10, 2009

For the love of Liberty




Harmony Homestead Liberty

She was born on Memorial Day, 2008, and named in honor of our Veterans.

My Father was a WWII Veteran, serving in the Pacific. He had passed away the in the autumm of 2007. His last word spoken was "Goldilocks" As young children, our father told us this story many times at our bedtime, and we have very fond memories of these special times.

During his last days, under hospice care, he placed his weak hand on his great grandchild's head Kaylee Rose, and said in a whisper, "Goldilocks".
Kaylee was about 9 months old, and has beautiful golden hair. She was just learning to crawl, and she brought us cherished moments of respite as we waited by my father's hospice bedside.

When Liberty was born the following spring, her color was the same as Kaylee's hair.


We watched Kaylee playing in the goat pen, with Liberty . My mom nicknamed Liberty "Goldilocks " seeing Kaylee and Liberty play together so sweetly.

Sadly and suddenly, we lost Liberty to a meningeal worm infection this week. The worm had done it's damage in the central nervous system, and we decided to have her put to sleep. This parasite is a very hard one to fight with de wormers. With the excessive wet weather we have had, the conditions for this parasite to do damage were grounded.

Liberty was full of promise. She was beautiful! She was only one year old, and I had big plans to use her as my foundation doe for future breeding's with the Harmony Homestead herd name.

I'll admit, most people do not have the pleasure of quietly experiencing "life in the moment " with a goat. Liberty shared her gentle disposition with ease.

She is now buried under the apple tree near the garden bridge my father put together and painted for me. The bridge symbolizes the transition from life to death, and brings honor to the relatedness of grief and hope, the old and young, the strong and gentle.

I wanted to express how an animal can weave the pieces of our lives together in ways we could never predict.

We will miss Liberty but always cherish her gift of helping us live our lives more fully in simple harmony.




6 comments:

judy said...

Elaine, I am so sorry. She was very sweet the day we visited. I could see that she was special.

Marva said...

Elaine I am so sorry for your lost. She was really beautiful and I could tell how much she meant to you.

Lynne said...

Elaine,
It is with great sadness that I read about the loss of your beautiful Liberty. I know how much all your animal mean to you and I admire you for the Love and Care that you show for each and every one of them. I know that you did not let her suffer and I also believe that Liberty was Keenly aware of how kind and wonderful a person you are.

Erika said...

Elaine, I can't tell you how shocked and sad Wiley and I are to hear about Liberty's passing! We are so sad for you. She was as beautiful as her mother, our beloved Tia Maria. You and your wonderful farm are in our thoughts, and we send our deepest condolences!

dana Hoey said...

I am very sorry to hear about your beautiful goat, and your father as well. Goldilocks is a great last word! Look forward to meeting our sweet goats soon. Dana

Naimhe said...

What a lovely tribute to both Liberty and your father. We're sorry to hear of your loss but are enjoying your website and the photos of your goats.