Meet Marigold.

It’s funny to step back and see the little girl you are {humbly, fumbling with God’s grace} raising and realize she’s turning into something … wonderful … a little lady … someone who, albeit shyly, can handle responsibility and tasks that a few years ago were daunting. It’s beautiful to see the character and interests blossom as she finds out what makes her tick and what makes her heart beat.

Life moves on, the old cuckoo clock hanging on the kitchen wall forever tells me that another hour has swept passed … we need to make the most of every hour, every day. Little ones merge into middle ones and soon middle sized ones are growing into bigger ones. For my daughter’s sake, I will not point out this growing-up fact too often as she sheds tears and cries at the thought of leaving dollies and make believe, frolics and carefree days behind. And I tell her , she’s not near to that yet. No one can force you to grow up. The world may morph 8,9 and even 10 year olds into “tweens” but we unintentionally ban that word from our vocabulary. No such thing here in our home. She’s still in her childhood and one day, when she’s ready, she will step gracefully over the invisible, magical border of child and older child, but for this beautiful moment – for this glorious chapter in her life – she’s a precious, young, 11 year old, full  of life and sweetness,  a creative side that wants to flourish and a love for animals.

Enter Marigold – Lacey’s Nubian goat. When we first brought Marigold home (oh, there’s a story to be told!!), Abby and I both looked at each other, shook our heads and said, “We gotta sell this goat NOW. What were we thinking?!” She was hyper, jumping fences, would not stop crying (and Nubians have a loud bellow like cry) and was generally a naughty goat.

Lacey begged us not to sell her, she claimed this doe-eyed, noisy goat was her favorite …
Well just two months later, Marigold has been quieted, she rarely cries (as in never) and Lacey has found a new best animal friend.

I wish I could freeze this time forever. A summer where my sweet 11-year-old finds joy and friendship with a floppy eared-Roman nose goat.

Have you ever seen a goat a smile?

Well, you just did.