by Jonathan Ross, Development Director and Patrick Toohey, Outreach Director
For 9 years, Randy was the earliest riser on the farm. Through bright and early and dark and wet times, Randy’s call woke up the Farm (and Farmhouse). Randy, the lonely-hearted rooster, finally let go and passed into his heavenly roost this fall.
Because Randy had been a part of so many lives, we felt it best to break the news to people in person. Nancy Tyson, Farmhouse resident, was sure to be the first to notice this change in the early morning air.
Not exactly sure how to break the news, longtime Farm leader Pat Toohey gently told Nancy: “Randy has passed.” For a moment, Nancy was silent as she processed the news. She slowly looked up from her breakfast to where Pat was standing and began to finger-spell her response. “I-T-S,” she started slowly, “A-B-O-U-T T-I-M-E.”
For 9 years, Randy had been Nancy’s alarm clock, calling Farmhouse into the day. Nancy’s relationship with Randy hadn’t been a negative one. But Nancy, with a sly smile, wasn’t heartbroken to hear he wouldn’t be crowing again, either.
After a few moments of thought, Nancy quizzically began her finger-spelling again: “If he’s gone, who is making all that noise?!?” Then Pat had to break the second piece of news: Randy’s two sons will continue to alert the Farm to the morning.
In community we understand that each day we can be challenged by those around us – even a rooster. But within each challenge, even a cock’s crow, lies a call to embrace those around us and make the most of each day.
