Spring came late this year on the Coteau Valley Farm. Here it is Easter Sunday, and our fields, and yard are still filled with gigantic snow drifts. The driveway is clear of snow now, but in its place is mud, lots and lots of mud. Luckily we have a four-wheel drive vehicle or we would not be able to make it out of the driveway. The other day the delivery driver decided to test his luck on the driveway. He barely made it back out. I think until the driveway is dry, all packages will be left at the end of the road. The cats are finally out of the barn and enjoying the sunshine, but they don’t like the mix between snow, mud, and puddles. They are often shaking their little paws off and looking dismayed. Before long, they wander back to the barn and sit in the sun.
Another beautiful site above us on the farm are the many migratory birds. Literally, thousands of geese and ducks are flying overhead, as they return for the warmer months. It is a truly majestic sight to watch. In addition, hundreds of other birds are making their way back to the farm, as they search for food as bits of grass peek up through the snow. Just this morning, a whole flock (or actually is it murder) of crows came by the farm, looking remarkably fat and happy after such a long winter.
Birds aren’t the only wildlife happy that it is now spring. Every night, we listen to the coyotes as they hold a chorus of whelps and howls. We also smell the local skunk. As long as he does not get too close to us, we leave him alone. While we haven’t seen the gophers yet, we do see their mounds popping up out of the snow. Everyone is ready for the warmer weather.
On this Easter Sunday, it is so nice to reflect upon the new life. It is as if the animals of the wild are giving praise in their own way. “All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” How truly blest we are here on the prairie. The winter threw everything it could our way, snow and wind, cold and chill, but we, like the animals, bask in the light of the new day. Spring has such a deep meaning for us. From the death of winter, new life arises. It is a reflection for us of our own life. We too were dead, but now we are alive. We were lost, but now we have hope.
Soon, we will be out in the field, tilling the soil and planting our seeds. We wait for our garlic to peek their little heads out of the dirt. New life is on its way. The snow will melt, the mud will dry and the flowers will bud. As beautiful and majestic as life here on the farm is, we know it is but a shadowy image of the good that is to come. How happy we are to find the stone rolled away on this wonderful morning, and to hear the word, “Peace.”
Coteau des Prairies
South Dakota Hobby Farm
Comments