May 7, 2021
After a year of canceled Farmers Markets and Holiday Boutiques that never happened, we had our first sales event, at Hill-Stead's “May Market.” As we set up our table and put out our wares, it felt as if everyone was emerging from their respective storm shelters and rejoining old friends and neighbors. It was wonderful to see so many people we'd not seen in months. After a year of stockpiling our fiber products, it was gratifying to be selling again, but even better than the sales was the fairly constant expressions of gratitude bestowed upon our sheep. In other years, at other events, we heard about the joy and pleasure people felt visiting the sheep pasture. This year, though, it was much more than simple joy that people credited them with bringing. This year it was all about the comfort, solace, and the peace of mind that people felt just watching them. Mesmerized by their grazing, it was the kind of steadying and calming peace that only nature, on her good days, can bring. It was wonderful and a bit overwhelming to hear so many people tell us what the sheep meant to them. We heard from a woman who would FaceTime her mother from outside the pasture fence. Her mother, secluded in a nursing home a thousand miles away, “loved her visits with the sheep in Farmington.” We heard from a father who walked every day to see the sheep with his “stir crazy” son - it was “what we did together, every day no matter what, the sheep got us through”. We heard from a woman who came to the pasture as a “reward” after every chemotherapy session, and whose doctor suggested she thank us “for being part of her wellness team”.
I have often mused over the term “Pastoral Care”. I understand the term to refer to how a pastor might tend to the congregation, and shepherd their “flock.” I bristle, though, at the insinuation that we don't inherently know what is best for ourselves, or how to behave, and must therefore be guided and herded. I come from a long and proud tradition of Congregational ministers, and when I wish to honor them and give thanks for all they have brought into my life- including life itself- I go to church. I sit quietly inside the building where they were pastors, I ground myself in their tradition of caring and kindness, and I listen to the words that brought them inspiration. But when I truly feel in need of comfort, solace or peace - I will simply take a moment or two to linger in our sheep pasture, and allow the calmness to wash over me. The sheep do in fact know much better than I how to just be here now - and if I let them, they will indeed shepherd me towards a much quieter, more peaceful, and gentler way of being in this chaotic world.