Honestly, I never really wanted to be. I dreamed of having a little more space—just enough room to breathe—but a farm? That wasn’t part of the plan. So, how did I end up down this unexpected path?
Well, that’s a story…
One day, my three-year-old daughter, Blair, who was bravely fighting cancer, suddenly and very matter-of-factly declared, “I want a chicken farm!”
Now, I have a confession: I was kind of afraid of chickens. But there she was, full of determination, convinced that owning a chicken farm was her purpose—and nothing was going to change her mind.
So, we sat down together, and we filled out the paperwork for her Special Wish, a program that grants wishes for children battling life-threatening illnesses. We wrote it out, and asked for a chicken farm. A few days later, I got a call from the organization. The woman on the other end was a bit skeptical and asked if we were really sure this was Blair’s wish. I guess that’s understandable when most children her age ask for a trip to Disney World.
Without hesitation, I said, “Yes, I’m sure. It is.”
Soon after, her wish was granted, and Blair could barely contain her excitement as we waited for the chicken coop to arrive. Unfortunately, Blair passed away before she had the chance to receive it.
Several months passed. One day, thinking of my sweet girl, I found myself at a farm store—completely on a whim—buying 12 baby chicks. Coincidentally, I happened to be wearing a plaid shirt, which seemed to fit the occasion. I had no idea what I was doing, but I quickly adopted a “sink or swim” mentality and dove right in.
That was a few years ago now, and I’m proud to say that we still have most of those original 12 chickens, and we’ve added a few more to the flock.
While this may not have been the traditional way to enter farm life, it’s a way for me to honor Blair’s memory and grow as a person. Now, we get to enjoy the gift of farm-fresh eggs every day. And who knows where this journey might take us, but one thing’s for sure—chickens will always be a part of it.
