Friday, April 17, 2009

Althea, May 1, 2007 - April 16, 2009



Althea died peacefully in her sleep Thursday afternoon. She had grown increasingly weak over the past few days, eating and drinking less, and sleeping more. It was so sad to watch but in the end it was a peaceful passing. Naomi kept watch over her Thursday while I was at work and made sure she was comfortable to the very end. I buried her this morning out behind the coop and read parts from the service for the dead from the Book of Common Prayer. As I told a friend, I wanted to give her a proper Anglican sendoff! I believe she is in a better place where she can run free and scratch for bugs to her heart's content. I think the other girls have sensed that Althea is missing and though they enjoyed the first really warm day of this spring by spending it roaming the yard there was a lack of energy in all of them. Or maybe I am projecting my sadness onto the girls.

But the cycle of life has come full circle and I have come to see that even a chicken can add to the quailty of my life, for which I am very grateful. Thank you Althea.