Thomas Allen's Blog, page 4

Serendipity

We frequently drive through the ranch pasture and woodland on our John Deere Gator to check for things that need attention or repair. The best time is either early, just after sunrise, or late, just before sunset. It is then that wild animals begin moving around. We can count on seeing deer—bucks or a “bambi” are special to spot. Even better are a group of spotted fawns frolicking by a pond. Tall ears in the grass materialize into a big Jack Rabbit that darts and zig-zags as he gets out of the way. Their size always seems to be larger when they pop up out of the grass. Then occasionally, we will see a group of wild turkeys coming out to forage, walking along in a dignified gait. Even less frequent, there will be a raccoon scurrying along, or a gray fox going lickety-split in the distance, or an armadillo cautiously coming out. Lastly, we once spotted a pair of black and white skunks moving along the trail just ahead of us! We stopped until they turned off the trail. Then waited just to be sure they were a safe distance away before we continued. We have yet to spot a black panther, who comes through our area making his 50 mile rounds, but that is probably a good thing.

Humiliation

Through the years, I have known families who have had to endure situations beyond their control which brought humiliation. Some situations were very public and others little known to the community. But in each instance, there was tremendous pain and anguish involved, because of the tendency for the family to feel some responsibility---although responsibility totally fell on the person who brought the disgrace. We can help innocent members endure and overcome the shame by letting them know our respect for them is in no way diminished. What an opportunity to show compassion! It has helped many of us overcome situations which seemed insurmountable at the time. What better way for us to show our love and support.

The Best

When we are young, many of us visualize how our life will turn out—usually assuming the things that are important will fall into place for the best outcome. Sometimes that does happen. But far more often, people I’ve known have not had the results they anticipated. It was not necessarily because they didn’t try to affect the outcome, but usually because of all the unexpected happenings beyond their control. When life presented them with unforeseen, unwanted, or painful events, some grew old with resentment. Others continued life with thankfulness for the small joys, and anticipated something good as each new day began. Can you guess which of them ended up living the best life?

A Friend

We have for years had a resident large blue heron who lives mainly between two ponds on the ranch. I’m not sure if he has friends. He seems to be a loner, at least he is always by himself. He will stand statue-like for long periods until he spots a minnow or small perch, and then ……. zap! He catches his dinner. After an afternoon of catching, he will take off like a 747 with large slowly flapping wings and disappear, flying to the pond at the other side of the ranch. He is remarkably majestic. I’m not sure how long he will live, but we’ll miss him when he’s gone.

Do-overs

All of us have at some time in our lives done wrong things that were unchangeable. It might have been an impulse, or an entirely selfish action, or even a sinister deed. It may have had little consequence to ourselves and others, or enormous consequence. But whatever the situation, we could never take it back, never have a do-over, never make it right. How we deal with unchangeable actions will forever affect our life. Either we will make excuses, rationalize, play the blame game, or we will admit it was OUR wrong, and acknowledge our helplessness to change it back. There is a solution—imploring, accepting, appreciating God’s grace. That will change your life.

Roadrunners

I suppose some people only associate a roadrunner as the primary protagonist in the Wile E. Coyote cartoons, but they are real, and they live on our ranch. By definition they are “a fast-running ground cuckoo that has a long tail and a crest.” They are surprisingly large, and they mate for life. We have several families located in different areas of the ranch. One family lives near the ranch house, which is good because they like to eat snakes. But, even if they weren’t useful, they are fun to watch. They do zoom around on the ground like the cartoon character. It’s been reported that some have been clocked at 20 miles an hour. They buzz around, outwardly unaware of our presence. Our dogs who would go after a chicken in a minute if possible, totally ignore the roadrunners………. that’s how fast they are.

Etched in my Memory

There is a poem a classmate wrote years ago when I was in college, and it is etched in my memory:

I have forgotten how to cry,
But the sky remembers and sheds the tears
That experience and years have taught me to discipline and dry.
The sky and I have an agreement about pain,
And I love rain.

Through the years it has come to mind many times, especially during times of grieving, and it brings me comfort………. Thank you, Leila Jaynes.

Things that Affect our Lives

On the ranch, there are routine things that must be done every day—feed, water, gather eggs, check the animals, clean stalls. Seemingly mindless things. However, each thing has an effect on keeping the ranch going and is a benefit for an animal who lives here. I wonder how many things that we do routinely every day in our lives may have a benefit to others, but we are unaware of the benefit to them. It seems if we considered it, we might do those things with more enthusiasm and joy. We might look forward to going about, just doing good.

A Costly Firendship

I recently heard a story from the past of a man and his wife befriending a child of a different race when it was frowned upon by their community. As a result, their own family followed the prevailing prejudice and censured them severely. It was painful. They were rejected, but they continued to do what was right—treat your neighbor as yourself. Through the years, the child became like one of their own children, and they continued to support him as he made decisions that would affected his life as an adult. Years later, I happen to be at their home when their “adopted” son, now a grown man, came by to wish one of them a Happy Birthday. He was forever in debt to them for offering him their acceptance and love when there was no one else who would. It changed the direction of his life forever. And yes, finally their own family, ask forgiveness for not giving their approval years earlier. It was a wonderful confirmation that they had done the right thing, but a painful lesson in the cost involved. How we need those with the courage to do so today.

Buddies

Today as I was in the barn area, I heard some low chirping sounds that were different from the normal chicken or bird noises. As I looked around, I spotted the source. Two wild turkeys had become separated by a fence line. One was on the barn side and the other on the pasture side. Both were complaining. Later in the day when I went out, they were still separated and still complaining. To eliminate their noise, I attracted their attention and opened a gate to the pasture. Then stepped back some distance and watched. They walked along the fence line until they found the open gate, then one walked through. Instantly, the chirping stopped and they started foraging together—buddies.