During the pandemic I was one of those who left the city for the farm, to succumb to quarantine orders. It was grueling, for the many sudden changes that need to be adopted in order to dodge from the deadly virus. Pandemic indeed have changed us all. At the same time, living in quarantine for months has offered us a rare opportunity to reflect on our lives and, potentially, to reset them. It was about slowing down, spending more time with nature and growing own food – and that’s what I exactly did while in the farm. Admittedly, growing veggies and raising animals helped my well being, taking some grasp to be productive and occupied during the crucial period. Spending more time with nature gave me lessons, reminding some truths if to live a life driven with purpose and meaning.
I have few stories about lessons learned while living in the farm…
The Missing Hen
One morning while cooking breakfast, my sister handed me her hat filled with eggs.
“Here are eggs.” She said with some hint of sadness. “My hen is nowhere for a couple of days now. I didn’t know it has laid somewhere hidden in the barrel.” I stared at the eggs neatly piled on the hat. Poor hen. ”I suspect it died, There has been an epidemic of fowls in the neighborhood in the past weeks.”
More than glad for the organic eggs, I felt sorry for the hen, it could have been sick all along, yet it continued to lay ten eggs, good enough for 1 hatch season. It continued to do its purpose as a hen unminding of illness. It continued to carry itself with dignity for the last ten days to her nest.
We lost the hen, but I learned a lesson, it reminded me to do our mission till the end of our days, even at the point of death. To live life with purpose, to remain useful and productive till the end. And it’s not for our own self, but leaving a legacy for others. That is to die with our boots on, like a good soldier.
The Patola
The routine of doing garden rounds was more of pleasure as I got to see new fruits, new flowers or finding something to harvest. Few days back, I went over the plot occupied with the patolas, it’s been more than six months since it produces its fruits giving us constant supply of patola in the
kitchen. Its leaves started to wither, there are more browns than greens. I took this as a sign that it would soon gone for good. Surprisingly, there
were still new fruits and even flowers! Again, it reminds me that being fruitful and productive don’t depend with my age, our mission will extend until our last breath. To live until we die, as Fr. Orbos said, “Inspire before you expire. “
The Orchid
The front yard had few mix match of ornaments that we maintained to give at least color not only for the household but also for passersby. At the far corner are few collections of ordinary orchids, most of it I don’t even know its variety. Few months back, we gathered all and replanted them on anislag trunks to give the plants a permanent place of their own.
They seldom give blooms and I could easily ignore them as they are tucked in between other plants. Couple of days ago, some fuschia flowers caught my attention and to my surprise, was the orchid which all its leaves were half-eaten by Lala, our calf! I remembered I was bit disturbed when I saw it and feared it will die.
But what an inspiration! Unmindful of the pain, it continued to bear colorful flowers to all. Just like in life – we experience pain, sorrows, difficulties. If plants able to withstand hardships and even continue to live and share beautiful blooms, why not for us humans? Let us rise above our storms and be an inspiration to others. We are all called for a mission – to be a blessing to others…
Yes, even in plants or animals we can learn a lesson. 🌱
Life in the Great Beyond 