A word about my hopeful hospice farm: As many of you know, it is my goal to one day start up a small hospice farm, one that will take in lost cause non-human animals of all species, and perhaps even some human, to live out their last days in a hospice setting. Some may surprise us, like Will did, and live much longer than expected, and that would be okay, too. Some of you so like the idea that you have been kind enough to send in donations to help me start that farm, while others have suggested I set up a fund on one of the various on-line money-raising websites. However, I must tell you, Im not ready for that yet. The handful of checks that have come in have been put aside in a special account for when I am ready to move forward. Thank you for those. I appreciate your faith. While I think about the farm several times a day and make my own plans to move forward while researching even more things Ill need to know, I tend to think I wont accept donations to buy it. You see, I expect us to be as private off-line as weve always been and I wouldnt want to give people false hope that the sanctuary I set up will be a public place. I have my own ideas about animals. As most of you realize, there is a reason I never mention breeds out here, because I think that other than shape, size, and perhaps some unique biological needs, I dont classify dogs that way, just as I dont call my friends as African-America, or Italian or Puerto Rican. I prefer to allow a dog to express his or her individuality. I feel the same way about species as I do about breeds. I would like to think that every cow, ever goat, every burro has a right to be an individual, just as every dog and human does, and I understand thats not everyones opinion. When it comes to the farm I intend to break a lot of rules, not when it comes to safety or nutrition, but in being bold enough to throw out preconceptions. I really like something Thomas Edison wrote: There aint no rules around here! Were trying to accomplish something. Im sure I will write about our experiences on the farm when it happens, but I also tend to think Ill be as protective of our right just to be us as I already am. I prefer the idea of a farm out of the way, on a back road away from busier areas. A place where healing on the way to death can take place. I want it to be different and quiet, other than the sounds of nature and of music - oh, yes, there will always be music. And I imagine it will start out small and Ill go from there. When I was younger and my mother died when I was only seven, in the years to follow I came up with an idea to adopt about twenty kids, two from each major nationality. In my fantasy wed live on a deserted island so they could understand that what divides is not as important as what connects us. In those early teenage thoughts of mine, wed have a library full of books on our island and there would be music, always music. When the children grew older theyd eventually leave and go out into the world with their own ideas. In some ways my idea of a hospice farm is somewhat like those young thoughts I had. The only difference is that in the end it would be different. Instead of sending those I was taking care out into the world, Ill be seeing those who come for hospice home, helping each of them write their last chapter. Thank you for all the offers to help. I appreciate them for they come from kindness, but as I said earlier, Im not really sure I want that at this time. I appreciate you reading my thoughts. Have a nice Friday.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 18:58:17 +0000