This is what's going on...We are in the process of weaning our calves, when last night after coming home late from a fun Birthday party, we pull into our drive and hear our baby cows crying. And can I tell ya, it is the darnedest thing! Our Longhorn never make a sound much less "MOO", but when the weaning process starts the calves go to crying. And it's kinda sad.
So as Frank and I unloaded the girls from our car this is the conversation Lily & I had together.
Lily- "Momma, why are those baby cows crying?"
Momma Nat- "Well, we have to wean them."
Lily- "What's that mean?"
Momma Nat- "Lily, do you remember when I fed Morgan my milk?"
Lily- "Yes"
Momma Nat- "Our baby cows drink their mommy's milk, too, but, now they're getting too old so we have to wean them and that means we have to separate them from their mommies."
Lily- "And that's why they're crying?"
Momma Nat- "Yes."
Lily- "Well, that's not nice. I'll go give them chocolate milk and change their diapers."
Momma Nat- as I'm swelling with pride because she's being so thoughtful and trying not to die laughing I say "Oh, Lily you're so sweet, but Daddy gave them some hay in their corral. They'll be okay."
Lily- "Okay, mommy."
And with that we went inside, put Morgan to bed because Lily slept with us, which has happened often this past week (I'll blog about that later because if anybody knows me they know I'm not a fan of sharing my bed, how sweet it may be. I still want my kids in their own comfy beds.) And we wake up to crying Longhorn, again, this morning. In fact, they were so loud we heard them all the way across our property, Hurricane Creek and the golf course when we ate brunch at the Club this afternoon. And, yes, Lily commented, again, on those crying cows. I'm sure she'll be worried about them for a few days. I'll have to reassure her, "Don't worry, they'll be fine."
I think it's precious Lily has the ability at such a young age to feel emotion, express concern for someone/something in pain and then problem solve to find a way to help the someone/something in need. I adore the innocence of her reasoning that chocolate milk & new diapers would help our baby cows. Sometimes I'm just in "awe" of Lily & Morgan. They're just innocent little people, I would love to shelter & protect their whole life, but since that's not an option, I let them explore, experience, problem solve and play all the while I try to keep a good balance between catering to them & throwing them to "the wolves", as some people say. Before children I heard moms say "Having and raising children is the hardest and most rewarding job ever." Now that I live it I completely understand. Crazy as it may seem to some of my readers, but I felt completely rewarded as a mom knowing at 3 years old Lily felt compassion for our baby calves and she so innocently knew chocolate milk and new diapers would help!
I hope as my daughters grow into little girls, teenagers, young ladies and then adults they have a healthy balance of helping and caring for others, but always making sure their first priority is their own-self.
(It's easier said then done, believe me.)
This fabulous and most informative email was sent from Natalie's iPhone :)
