Country Roads & Mothering

It's cool on the front porch this morning. A reminder left from the storm that came through and gave everything a wet look. Thank You, Lord! We needed the rain as our garden was quite thirsty. Dark wet earth is such a pretty contrast to the dark green foliage of the garden. The tomatoes will surely plump up with the added moisture gained from it. Even the plum tree looks fuller with the swell of it's fruit. One branch looks in need of some support for it's heavy laden bounty. I've already enjoyed a few, as I have been searching the branches for the early ripening ones. The taste of Summer for this young girl's heart.


The last baby turkey from our sitting hen is struggling to survive. As it's momma keeps stepping on it and knocking it over onto it's back. With no traction it is unable to to turn itself back over. Laying there with bicycling legs stretched up in the air. Peeping for help to a mother with no hands. Twice I have rescued this chick from a fate I am sure that probably took the lives of it's other 3 siblings. They simply disappeared ~ first one, followed by 2 the next day, till this one was the only one left. It is hard to give the baby back to it's mother, knowing it might not survive. Our turkey hatch has been a little disappointing this Spring. We've had several to be born, but only a few that have lived for very long. Though the ones we hatched ourselves in the incubator are growing good. But all of the naturally raised ones have not survived so far. But that is not the reason for my concern with this little chick.


I know that it is only through practice that the hen will learn how to be a good teacher and provider for her chicks. It's difficult for this mother to let another mother learn how to mother. Our hearts go soft for any little helpless thing. The nature of being a mother causes us to want to come to it's aid, to scoop it up and take care of it. Regardless of whether it is a human baby or an animal one. Mothering lessons have to be learned, mistakes and error in judgement will happen. None of us are born mothers, we have to grow into being one. Just as this first time turkey hen will have to do. It is a life long process that never stops. For once you become a mother, you will always be a mother. Mothering is hard, any way you look at it, human or otherwise. But Oh, so worth it!


Lon and I saw several "eye candy" this morning during our coffee time ~ A hummingbird sipping from the porch flowers, a small wild hare hopping across the yard, little birds gliding in the freshness of the morning sky, a serenading Brown Thrasher from the mystery tree and the view from our front porch across rows of fencing, rain soaked pastures and up a graveled drive. There is something about country roads that speaks to this heart of mine. All are made of dirt, some covered with gravel and even a few tarred. But they all have a story to tell of the journeys made on them and the possibilities available just a little further down the road. Some show you the way in long stretches of open terrain, letting you see what is coming up. While others speak quietly with a bend in the road, saying slow down, take a look at where you are going. As I sat this morning looking out over our own.
I was reminded of the journey we started here 2 years ago. Of all that has transpired since and all that we dream of for our future. We know not what the future holds for us, just like you can't see around the bend in our drive. But we are looking forward to it, knowing that if it is anything like we have experience thus far. It will be a great journey.

Trying to learn lessons well,

Deborah