Sadly Mr Flowers has Passed Over

Yesterday morning Our John found Mr Flowers dead under his usual night-time perch in the barn. Dead on the floor.

There was no evidence of a predator. No battle. He appears to have died in his sleep. and fallen off his perch. It is a miserable loss to the farm. To us.

John dug a long deep grave for him down the back – long to accommodate his beautiful long tail. He chose a big rock to place on top.

The end of an era.

I am not going to write a long obituary. You all know him. We have had losses on the farm before and I hate to go backwards in time, I still believe that the ending does not define a life. That a small life is as important as a big fat famous life. That every smile we had watching Mr Flowers tap the window for his breakfast or raise his train and shake his tail feathers at the roosters. Every moment. All filled us with wonder.

He was a joy.

We have to hold on to that joy while we feel the sorrow.

As to his age his tail would have been over five – maybe six foot long if he had had the summer. And he was a mature bird when we brought him back to the farm. So I am thinking he would have been at least 15. A good age for a bird.

Being in New Zealand and not being able to say goodbye is rotten.

I am so sorry.

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

Celi