I recently made an affirmative comment about another person's harrowing decision to choose euthanasia for a beloved pet with a poor prognosis for survival.
There are few moments worse for an animal lover than this particularly traumatic choice needing to be made at the end of a long and precious partnership with a deeply beloved friend.
And I suggested that maybe this was an easier decision for those of us who are, or have been farmers, because of our broad experience of the full life cycle in so many varied and diverse forms.
Few occupations compare in providing this particular education - in birth, growth, maturity and death - all in pretty much equal portions.
Whether it's animals - from sheep and cattle to poultry and pets; or the experience of watching crops or pastures grow and flourish (or not) - the cycle is always there - in all its grandeur - with all its pain.
The cycle of life is mirrored totally in the seasonal cycle of the farmer's year - usually occurring with great regularity - sometimes reflecting long periods of lesser to worse times, and inevitably followed - sooner or later - by better, sometimes even great times and returns.
There is much comfort in the lesson learned from the land - NOTHING LASTS FOREVER.
It's simply that our idea of 'forever' varies considerably.
You only have to think of eagerly awaiting something pleasurable.
Now, that takes 'forever'.
And when you go through great pain - that also seems like 'forever' - even if sometimes it's only minutes, or even hours.
Thinking of this comparably short time - out of the millions of minutes and thousands of hours most of us will live in our 'average' life span, puts a different perspective on 'forever' somehow, doesn't it? In farming, 'forever' is more often defined by 'recorded history' or 'living memory' - largely because the year's plans, possibilities, probabilities and actualities will ALL depend on the seasons and how closely they stay true to Man's expectations of Mother Nature.
No matter how hard you have worked, no matter how you have hoped and prayed; begged and bargained; even threatened and cursed - come drought, flood, fire or disease - and ALL can be lost in an instant.
I believe these well-worn but never outdated platitudes, say it all - 'What can't be cured - must be endured', and - What doesn't kill me - makes me stronger' And I further believe that the repetitive lesser times and actual losses experienced and endured throughout our lives, provide enormous strength to face the tough decisions - like the choice of euthanasia of a pet.
"It's just an animal", some will say - but others know this pet was an honoured and precious member of the family - and the decision is heartbreaking.
But the pain will ease so much faster when you can accept the inevitability of this terrible event - despite the deepest despair and agony you initially feel.
Not the sad, heavy ache.
That will last forever - and this time, I mean 'for the rest of your Life'.
But the agony of loss will be 'gentled' - eased - as time moves relentlessly on.
And another Life lesson is learned.
'Never, Ever, Again' is another much-used prediction that rarely comes true.
Honestly consider how many times in your life you have heard this thought expressed; perhaps had this thought yourself; maybe even said it right out loud, and repeated it many times over.
And how many times have you sincerely believed this is how it will be - and then found the words, the belief - to be completely wrong? Almost always? Will you truly 'Never Ever Again' love another person - another piece of land - another pet? All because the parting is too painful for you? You might as well stop breathing, because Life will happen to you - ready or not! And difficult and agonising decisions will have to be made, no matter your preference, no matter your status or age or circumstances.
Please reconsider this 'never ever again' thought.
Please weigh the exceptionally 'good' times against the painful 'bad' - and check your personal 'Life Experience' scales - and please do this honestly.
Then - and only then - seriously consider the relative values of 'quantity' and 'quality'.
Now you can make your choice - 'NEVER, EVER AGAIN' - or - 'MAYBE - SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE' © 2010 Christine Larsen All Rights Reserved
There are few moments worse for an animal lover than this particularly traumatic choice needing to be made at the end of a long and precious partnership with a deeply beloved friend.
And I suggested that maybe this was an easier decision for those of us who are, or have been farmers, because of our broad experience of the full life cycle in so many varied and diverse forms.
Few occupations compare in providing this particular education - in birth, growth, maturity and death - all in pretty much equal portions.
Whether it's animals - from sheep and cattle to poultry and pets; or the experience of watching crops or pastures grow and flourish (or not) - the cycle is always there - in all its grandeur - with all its pain.
The cycle of life is mirrored totally in the seasonal cycle of the farmer's year - usually occurring with great regularity - sometimes reflecting long periods of lesser to worse times, and inevitably followed - sooner or later - by better, sometimes even great times and returns.
There is much comfort in the lesson learned from the land - NOTHING LASTS FOREVER.
It's simply that our idea of 'forever' varies considerably.
You only have to think of eagerly awaiting something pleasurable.
Now, that takes 'forever'.
And when you go through great pain - that also seems like 'forever' - even if sometimes it's only minutes, or even hours.
Thinking of this comparably short time - out of the millions of minutes and thousands of hours most of us will live in our 'average' life span, puts a different perspective on 'forever' somehow, doesn't it? In farming, 'forever' is more often defined by 'recorded history' or 'living memory' - largely because the year's plans, possibilities, probabilities and actualities will ALL depend on the seasons and how closely they stay true to Man's expectations of Mother Nature.
No matter how hard you have worked, no matter how you have hoped and prayed; begged and bargained; even threatened and cursed - come drought, flood, fire or disease - and ALL can be lost in an instant.
I believe these well-worn but never outdated platitudes, say it all - 'What can't be cured - must be endured', and - What doesn't kill me - makes me stronger' And I further believe that the repetitive lesser times and actual losses experienced and endured throughout our lives, provide enormous strength to face the tough decisions - like the choice of euthanasia of a pet.
"It's just an animal", some will say - but others know this pet was an honoured and precious member of the family - and the decision is heartbreaking.
But the pain will ease so much faster when you can accept the inevitability of this terrible event - despite the deepest despair and agony you initially feel.
Not the sad, heavy ache.
That will last forever - and this time, I mean 'for the rest of your Life'.
But the agony of loss will be 'gentled' - eased - as time moves relentlessly on.
And another Life lesson is learned.
'Never, Ever, Again' is another much-used prediction that rarely comes true.
Honestly consider how many times in your life you have heard this thought expressed; perhaps had this thought yourself; maybe even said it right out loud, and repeated it many times over.
And how many times have you sincerely believed this is how it will be - and then found the words, the belief - to be completely wrong? Almost always? Will you truly 'Never Ever Again' love another person - another piece of land - another pet? All because the parting is too painful for you? You might as well stop breathing, because Life will happen to you - ready or not! And difficult and agonising decisions will have to be made, no matter your preference, no matter your status or age or circumstances.
Please reconsider this 'never ever again' thought.
Please weigh the exceptionally 'good' times against the painful 'bad' - and check your personal 'Life Experience' scales - and please do this honestly.
Then - and only then - seriously consider the relative values of 'quantity' and 'quality'.
Now you can make your choice - 'NEVER, EVER AGAIN' - or - 'MAYBE - SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE' © 2010 Christine Larsen All Rights Reserved