But Is That Enough?

But Is That Enough?

There are times when I wish my life was very different. Some sorrow comes with such awareness to be sure, but there is a much greater sorrow in thinking my chickens might wish their lives were very different too.

Yet the life they have is the only life most of them have ever known. Only Amelia and Emily ever had hours upon hours of free backyard time out in the country to explore and fly together with their original flock mates. They were magnificent.

Zoning ordinances forced them to find new homes because even though they were in a rural area, they didn’t live on at least five and a half acres of land. Now, here on less than a quarter acre city lot, they are legal and safe, and those things must count for something.

Even though they can’t fly freely like before and even though they don’t understand how their fate might have been otherwise, they do have a life and a home. But is that enough?

When Amelia and Emily came to live with us, my greatest concern was they might come to hate life here in the city compared to their relative life of freedom in the country. As beautiful as they are, it would be so selfish if my happiness was obtained by their sorrow.

I worried about Amelia the most because more than anything she loves to fly. Then one evening, I realized there just might be something she loves more than flying.

The days were growing shorter then because it was the fall season. I had less and less time after work to sit with my chickens before they went up into their coop for the night.

Gracie would always be first because she is the leader and may also have the weakest eyesight. Amelia would always be last. Perhaps that is because her eyesight is the strongest, but I think it also may be because she loves adventure and doesn’t want to miss anything.

Eventually there would be no daylight left when I got home, and they would all be up in their coop, waiting patiently to be “tucked in” for the night and secured against nighttime predators.

We would still say all of our sweet “good night” wishes the way we always did and talk together just a bit before saying our evening prayers, but it always felt different with only the twilight darkness.

Then that one evening, the unexpected happened. There was a little daylight still left when I got home. I turned off the truck engine, opened the door, and heard the sweetest and most innocently hopeful little sound ever. It was the sound of two chicken feet softly landing on the ground.

My heart knew who it was before my eyes saw. Of course, it was Amelia. She had jumped down out of the coop.

By the time I got to the backyard, I saw her pacing quickly back and forth at the front of their run. At first, I thought there was some type of problem which had alarmed her. Had there been a predator stalking them? Would I need to settle a dispute because someone was in her favorite nighttime roosting spot?

When I got in the run, Amelia gave me that look which only Amelia can give me. Then she pecked and pulled at the legs of my pants the way she always does when she wants to be picked up and held.

So I picked her up and held her close in my arms. It was the sweetest of sweet “good night” moments I have ever had. It seemed to last forever.

As much as she loves her freedom to fly, Amelia loves being held just a little bit more. She doesn’t have to say it. She just lives it.

Now I know there is probably more I can write here about how sometimes life turns out differently for us than what we expect and about how sometimes we give up some of our valued freedom to obtain something much more valuable. But right now, I just want to rest in the moment and believe it really is enough…for both of us.

My Life With Gracie (and especially Amelia) showed me the beauty of a sweet “good night.”

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33 thoughts on “But Is That Enough?”

  4. I agree with the other commentators, lovely post. Thank you for sharing 🙂
    The power of pure love shines ever brightly in our hearts, in spite of the darkness. The simplest affection (being hugged), endures in the moment and in our remembrance, warming and capturing our souls way past the initial acceptance of the affection. This warm fuzzy feeling all over (from the hug) carries us forward, whether it’s from another person or our beloved pets, whether we are the receiver or the giver, states we are loved and giving love.
    This precious gift from God cannot be denied for He is love!

    Again thank you.. God bless you wholeheartedly with many loving moments and memories.

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    1. Thank you so much! Your comment reminds me of how every good and perfect gifts comes down from the Father. Hopefully this post may help someone who needs to know His Love. Thanks again!

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      1. 🙂 Yes it will, for it will put a smile on their face by reading the antics your little ones get into. And not only that but your stories have a moral overall view that makes one think while chuckling. I’d say that’s a good combo. God bless my friend.

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    1. Thank you, Ruth. I think like Amelia you have a kind heart with a firm determination. I truly hope things will settle out for you as they did for Amelia. Sometimes it just takes time. Best wishes always, John.

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  6. Oh my! That was the sweetest chicken story I’ve ever heard! Don’t we all want to be Amelia and just be picked up and held and know that we’re loved? The wisdom of chickens can teach us all a few things indeed. 🙂

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    1. I definitely hope your lobbying efforts will be successful. Chickens are good for eggs, garden fertilizer, and make great companions. It just takes a little time to know them. I’m able to have six hens, no roosters (which is okay with me because they are noisy), and their home must be at least 16 feet away from any neighbor. Those are basically the only real rules we have. If you have children, I think it’s a great experience for them too. You can learn a lot from a chicken! Thanks for reading and commenting and I really hope you can get that zoning changed!

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      2. Thanks, Shawn. I appreciate that. I read one time about how the secret to being a good writer is to write about what you know and love. So that’s what I try to do. (And I have six very good feathered “proofreaders”!)

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    1. Yes, I know that feeling. It’s part of why I want to write about these things now so I can read them again and remember when they aren’t around to hug any more. Thank you.

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  11. Pingback: Family Photo Friday – My Life With Gracie

    1. Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. It does seem like this particular post hits a lot of the “right notes” with people. (It’s hard for me to judge sometimes because I’m so close to my chickens.) Feedback like yours is extremely valuable to my journey of seeing where “My Life With Gracie” will take me. Thank you again!

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