Monday, October 29, 2018

~ I will ALWAYS Love Ewe ~

Coming home from anywhere, 
~ after a fun and busy weekend is a welcomed-thing ~
{the Heavens to Betsy Hook In & Withes Gathering} 

but

coming home to find that one of your 'babies' has passed on is never good...

after settling in a bit last evening,
Peter broke the news to me that he had found her in the barn 
the morning that we left for the Hook In ~
but he didn't want to upset me before I began the long drive to NY state.


my dear sweet, gentle & beautiful Esther {aka 'Mommy'} ewe sheep
has crossed that Rainbow Bridge to the Summerlands ~

we aren't even sure how old she was when we brought her home,
perhaps 2 or 3 years young at the time, 
and already had given birth to a couple of lambs before her life began here with us... 

She was to be our very first ever sheep to love;
to have and to hold, till death do us part,
~ forever and ever.

her beautiful eyes told me how very kind she was.
she allowed me to love on her, and gave us many happy spring mornings
by sharing brand new baby lambs with us ~ 
while she lived here at the farm, she birthed a total of 2 sets of twins, and 2 sets of triplets!
{not all at once, silly...but over her 1st couple of years here}

after that much mommy-ing, that is exactly what I started calling her...
'Mommy' ~ and she was a good one.
 
one of her last lambs was born smaller and weaker 
~ so we decided to keep him with her,
and we named him Bobby {'Baaaa-bee'}.

...and they were inseparable.



Mommy & Bobby would walk out to the big field together 
many times during the day to graze in the hay ~ she always led the way...
 

I will miss looking out my old farmhouse windows
and seeing her - seeing them together in the sunshine, snow or rain...
walking one behind the other.
 

as Esther grew older,
she developed cancer, poor eyesight and slowed down on her daily trips to the big field,
but Bobby never left her side....


this morning as I went out to see Bobby,
he had such a lost look on his face that brought me to my knees....
all I could do was wap my arms around his neck and bury my face into his fleece and cry.
 

Esther/Mommy was so much inspiration for me
in my needlework and folk art designs ~ 
and a huge part of my heart is now gone.

Dear Esther,
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your sweet life.
We hope you were happy here with us all, as we have loved you dearly.
I will take good care of your Bobby-baby, until you see him again...

Rest peacefully in those golden fields and warm sunshine ~
our lives are richer, our hearts are fuller 
~ and we are more blessed because of you.
 All our Love,
Mom & Dad & Hannah
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

38 comments:

Unknown said...

This makes me cry for you, such a beautiful soul your sweet Esther! I will keep her Bobby and your broken heart in my prayers Lori. This is part of loving our pets, but it is so painful sometime it is unbearable.

Blessings to you, Peter and Hannah

Kathy B said...

I'm so sorry♡♡

old crow said...

So sorry for your loss, such a beautiful soul. They take a piece of our heart when they go.
Big Hugs

jennifer768 said...

So very sorry for your lost Lori. I'm sitting here typing with tears pouring down my face. The love between a care giver and their animals is beyond words. They become so much a part of our lives that once we say goodbye there is a part of us that is forever gone. May your heart heal and find comfort in knowing that while with you she knew the love you had for her. Hugs!

Prims and Needles said...

As I write this, I am crying for your family and for Esther. I feel deep in my heart that no matter how big or how small an animal is, if you love them and they are apart of your life, it is heartbreaking. I am so sorry, especially for Bobby. I hope your memories of Esther will help you through this difficult time. ��
All my love and hugs to you all,
Coline Rodrigue ��

Becky said...

Oh Lori, I am so sorry for the loss of your Sweet Esther ❤️ What a dear she was, I treasure her wool you shared with me over the years.

xoxo
Becky

Constance said...

I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet baby. I know that she had a wonderful life with you and she will be with you always. Thank you for loving her and giving her a happy home.

Blessed Be
Constancce

Vicki DeCuyper said...

So very sorry. Sending hugs across many miles for all of you, especially sweet Bobby.

The Eveningstitcher said...

Sending love and hugs to you and your family, Lori! She was a beautiful extension of your family...

marly said...

Hard to type through the tears. So sorry for your loss and so sad for Bobby. A loving post of her life with you, happy and well cared for, she was blessed.

Saundra said...

OMG, Lori, my heart is breaking for both you and Peter. My heart still aches when thinking of my departed furry family so empathize with your loss. Am sure Bobby knows what you were feeling and believe he felt your comfort in his loss.

Robin in Virginia said...

Lori, I am sad to read of Esther's passing. While some will say she was just an animal, she was a part of your family. Thinking of you, your family and Bobby!

Penny said...

Oh so sad, and I’m oh so sorry for your loss of Esther. Extra hugs to Bobby...I’m sure he feels lost without his Mommy. 😢

Vicki Jo said...

So sorry for your loss. Your love for Esther is evident in your words over the years as well as your photos and your needle work. You gave her such a good life and your lives were blessed by her. She knows that you will love her baby.

Rugs and Pugs said...

So very sorry. Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures showcasing her life.
Hugs,
Lauren

Kathy Brown said...

Oh Lori I am so sorry to hear the sad news. It's never easy to lose a fur (fleece) baby, and Esther seemed such a sweetheart. I know you will miss her greatly. Hugs.

NMK said...

Lori I am so sorry to hear about your dear Esther, she was lucky to live with you on your friendly farm . Poor Bobby …..I too have tears in my eyes and my heart aches , loosing a pet is just so heart breaking .

My Colonial Home said...

Dear Lori and Peter - what a beautiful tribute for one of your family fur babies...it breaks my heart that you are going through this.
What a dear Peter to save you the heartache - aren't thoughtful caring husbands just the greatest.
Bless your hearts and sending many prayers
Karen

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry Lori, my heart is breaking for you.

Tina said...

What a beautiful couple. I know your heart is heavy. Please except my truly heart felt sorrow. I hope Bobby is doing OK.

I shouldn't ready these things at work. I cry to hard to be seen.

Hugs, Tina

Jo Ann said...

Our biggest joy is loving our pets, our biggest sorrow is loosing them. Such a hole they leave in our hearts. Rest in peace Esther. So sorry for you and Peter and Hannah. Give Bobby an extra hug.

Anonymous said...

Bobby, Lori, family and farm family. Condolences on the loss of your sweet Esther. Our sweet animals are PURE love. We who read your blog see and read the love you have for all your animals. They have had and have a wonderful furr-ever home at NFF.

Michelle Palmer said...

Hugs and love to all of you & more hugs to sweet Baaa-bee. So very sorry, Kind Friend <3

Mary A said...

I'm touched that you had this incredible and loving relationship with your sheep. Most people don't think sheep have much of an emotional life. Not true! I'm glad Mommy had you and maybe Bobby can find a companion? Esther was ever safe with you.

gracie said...

What a sweet post. You provided a loving home for her now you have Baaabee to give love to.

TheCrankyCrow said...

My eyes and heart weep for you my friend.... Praying for comfort and healing..... {{{HUGS}}} Robin

Laugh Yourself into Stitches said...

tears....

Kathy Barrick said...

I'm so very sorry Lori. My heart just aches for you all. xoxox

Sandra said...

Your news brought tears and sadness. I am so sorry for you and Bobby. I remember seeing her when I was at your Gatherings. She looked so sweet and gentle ~

Pat said...

So, so sorry to read about Esther. One of the best parts about coming down to your farm was the animals. I always made the rounds and checked out all of your friendly furry family. She had a good life with you and Peter. Hugs to you all.

elaine allerton said...

So so sorry!
Brought tears,,, we love our pets sooo much ,,,,
Poor bobby,,, good he has u and peter to take care of her, ,,
♡♥♡♥

Jennifer M said...

Love hurts and you all had that for Esther. Remember the wonderful years she shared with you, hold Bobby tight in remembrance. xxxooo Prayers for comfort dear friend

Susie H said...

So sad to say good bye to our babies. My heart is breaking for you, Peter, Hannah, Bobby, and all the rest of your family.

3millplainrd said...

I am sorry this day had to come. I mourn every animal that I loved and even those I never met. I'm so glad she was loved.

Julie - My Primitive Heart said...

Hi Lori,
I'm so very sorry you lost sweet Esther!! May all those tears bring healing to your broken heart!!
Sending Heart Hugs to you and your family~
Julie xo

Dianne said...

I have followed your work and blog for some time, vicariously enjoying your musings of life on the farm. Losing a beloved companion whether they be 2 or 4 legged is heartbreaking. Your love for Mommy rings true in your words, and I cried reading your sweet tribute. Hugs to you and Bobby...

woollabeast said...

Oh Lori, Peter & Hannah... my heart just aches for all of you. Your sweet tribute to your beloved Esther/Mommy just made me cry. I love animals so much & no matter (big or small) fur-friend or wild... they bring us a world of joy & make living in it... a much happier place! Take care of her Bobby boy as he'll need a new Mommy to love! Sending you a big, woolly hug my friend ♥ ~ your friend up Nawth, ~Diane

Three Sheep Studio said...

You have a very caring and thoughtful husband to be sensitive to the timing of sharing this sad news. The pictures are a lovely tribute to her soft and gentle spirit.
Rose