Good-bye, sweet hen
HollyRamona - you dear, sweet hen. You were much loved by many. Rest in peace.
This is HollyRamona out for what turned out to be her last recess yesterday. The dear sweet hen had been in decline for months, but always managed to rebound a bit when we thought we’d said goodbye. Yesterday, though, she was falling asleep standing up. This is what she looked like, very regal. The past week or so she’d stand much like this and watch the other chickens scratching – she looked like a sweet little penguin, or maybe even an owl, standing guard. I am so thankful she passed peacefully early this morning.
Dear Factory of Sweet,
You will be much missed. Those who love animals will understand the special connection we have with some animals. Some are pets, and some become dear friends, and some even become examples of character traits we can all aspire to. You, sweet hen, were indeed a “factory of sweet” as Sam called you. Always gracious, never (ok, rarely) pecky, always regal and refined. Graceful and proud even on your last recess.
Love,
Alli, Sam and Ben, and Dave
This morning Sam said goodbye just before school. He was sad, even amidst all the excitement of bringing his guys home from school for a big water gun war. And Ben helped tuck you under a blanket of soft earth, topped by a stump. All chickens love stumps. Ben and I talked about you playing with Polly up in Heaven. Then Ben asked if your whole body was IN earth. I said yes. Then he wanted to know which part went to Heaven. I explained that the part which made you sweet, the part of you which is your character, went up into Heaven. “What is a character?” It’s a property of something, like gases on the planets have properties (Sam loves space stuff so Ben knows a little about gases, I think), water has properties (being liquid). So we all have properties. Hers was very sweet. Now we can enjoy thinking about integrating the young babies into the flock. And a water gun war which starts in about an hour!!!! I have the guns lined up, the hose ready, buckets filled, a table ready for 4 large pizzas, ice pops, goggles, snow saucers for shields (the moms are getting in on the war!) and the sun is shining for the first time in days. A beautiful morning.
Oh Alli, beavtifvlly written!. What a beavtifvl picture of Holly Ramona. Yov knew something wasn t right and I was in denial. I love your description of putting her to rest with the help of your fellow chicken lover, Ben. Sam, I love your name for her. She was a sweet girl. Always letting me pick her vp and kiss her on the beak. I am thankfvl that she was with yov all for the time that she was. I can t think of a more loving and attentive chicken loving, hvman family!
RIP sweet HR.
Tijen
I can’t even write because I can’t see thru my tears. I loved how HollyRamona helped to introduce Sam and Ben to chicken life. When all the others ran out to recess, she lingered back – her way of asking to be picked up and cuddled. The kids learned so much about “body language” through her distinct difference from most of the others. She was beautiful. Sam’s Factory of Sweet description is beyond a doubt, so insightful and makes her loss a really tough one.
I’m so glad I got to see her a few days ago. I miss her.
Your post is so beautiful, Alli. I love your heart.
Another sweet memory is Ben who called her “HaweeWamona” and who helped you give her warm baths a month or so ago. She wasn’t egg bound, but who cares? Everyone loved doing something nice for her.