THE GIFT OF THE “OLD ONE”

A Goat Lover’s Christmas Story
This is one of my favorite stories, written by Eunice Day of Washington, ME

I cry each time I read this…
This is a Must Read tear jerker of a story of an Old goat- and while I cannot print this on any products, I’m sure that you would be able to print a copy off for personal use to perhaps place inside your Christmas cards.A long time favorite heartwarming Goat Story for all of us to cry over. It circulates through the goat community each Holiday Season- so I share it with you this Holiday Season.
Enjoy….Oh and grab a tissue or two.
The Gift of the “Old One”

The young couple had made their usual hurried, pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of goats. The farm had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine which topped the hill behind the farm, and through the years had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.The old folks no longer showed their goats, for the years had taken their toll, but they sold a little milk, and a few kids each year, and the goats were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day’s end.Crossly, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. “Why do you not at least dispose of “The Old One”. She is no longer of use to you. It’s been years since you’ve had either kids or milk from her. You should cut corners and save where you can. Why do you keep her, anyway?” The old man looked down at his worn boot, scuffed at the barn floor, and his arm stole defensively about the Old One’s neck as he drew her to him and rubbed her gently behind the ears. He replied softly, “We keep her because of love. Only because of love.”Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.

So it was, that because of the leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark at all. None but the “Old One”. In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save his beloved goats. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire’s fury.By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife. They thanked those who had come to their aid, and the old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as he clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, “We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us, therefore, climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared.”

And so, he took her by the hand and helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his hand. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they looked up and gasped in amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on it’s top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this.Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder, and incredible joy as he pulled his wife forward. There, beneath the tree, was their Christmas gift. Bedded down about the “Old One”, close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the goats through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping daintily through the snow. The kids were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The milkers pressed uneasily against the “Old One” as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of those she loved. Her body was brittle with years, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift – because of love.

Only because of love. Additional Notes:gift of the old one goat Christmas story I created my graphic version of Gift of the Old One and have it available as Goat Christmas Cards, Ornaments and other goat merchandise for gift giving- as the poem itself is not my own. But you can tuck a copy of the story inside your Christmas Cards to share with friends and loved ones.

House Full of Goats

We offer two versions of this hilarious design – One for young ladies who will some day be OLD ladies.. with a house full of goats and one for .. e’hem, those of us who are Already OLD.. and with a House FULL of goats! We have this available on shirts, mugs, blanket throw and accent pillows as well as some other products. If you would like it on another product you do not see, please let us know and we will accommodate you. So here we are..

For the Young Lady Crowd.. SO you are young and in love with your goats – BUT Some Day.. you too, Will become an Old lady.. and most likely will have a HOUSE FULL OF GOATS (Ask me how I know this LOL) Embrace it.. Love it.. and congratulations on being a full fledged Goat LADY – There she is in all her glory – tons of goats -watching lovingly , jumping, sleeping, baby goats with bottles, and even a naughty goat – But mostly keeping you company.. the Crazy Cat Lady has Nothing on us! Add some text at the bottom or delete this option. Original by goatlady @GetYerGoat.com (don’t accept imitations!)

And for those of us who are already there 😉 SO you are young and in love with your goats – BUT Some Day.. you too, Will become an Old lady.. and most likely will have a HOUSE FULL OF GOATS (Ask me how I know this LOL) Embrace it.. Love it.. and congratulations on being a full fledged Goat LADY – Add some text at the bottom or delete this option.

Christmas Goodies for Goat Lovers!

We have gifts, Christmas gift wrap supplies, Christmas Decor, and more for the goat lover in the family!

GetYerGoat™ has lead the industry for Goat Lovers Christmas products for 14 years. Come and see what we have – and if you have a suggestion Please feel free to send a request using the email link in our shop.  

 

 Goat Xmas Gift Wrap Supplies – Baby Goat Kisses

Goat Xmas Gift Wrap Supplies - Baby Goat Kisses

Mix and Match Christmas Gift Wrap, Gift tags, Gift bags, Gift Stickers, and Tissue paper – All Adorable Baby Goat Portraits – Angora, Boer, LaMancha, Nubian , Pygmy and Toggenburg with Christmas greenery, holly and berries, a red bow and mistletoe – with ornate calligraphy text that reads: Christmas Wishes and Baby Goat Kisses all on a gold or silver background – remove background to reveal white or choose any color background you like from the customize color picker – Perfect for the goat lover in the family – won’t they be surprised to see a unique Original Christmas goat on their Christmas package Christmas morning.

Another ©goatlady GetYerGoat™ original.

 

Lots of Holiday Goats wearing caps and scarves and even a Santa hat , jingle bells , candy canes, Christmas candy, Christmas trees and a red barn all mixed up for a festive Goat Holiday Goodies for your gift giving this Christmas. Spruce up your gift giving this Holiday Season with Christmas GOATS! ©goatlady GetYerGoat.com – a GetYerGoat™ Exclusive A MUST have for the goat lover you know and love. Offering this awesome Christmas goat design on Goat lovers Christmas tree skirts, Christmas Goat wrapping paper and matching tissue paper and gift tags, Goat lovers Christmas gift bags, Goat Christmas stockings, Goat lovers mugs, Christmas goat totes, Christmas goat pet bowls, Goat lovers fabric and Christmas goat lovers decor pillows and more. This is the year of the Christmas Goat for your holiday pleasure. Enjoy! 

GOAT Christmas Wrapping Paper

 

GOAT Christmas Wrapping Paper

Goat Christmas Wrapping paper for all goat lovers- We have many adorable goat designs  just in time for your Christmas gift wrapping! Make Christmas this year a goaty Christmas!

Goat Lovers Gift Tags

 

Goat Lovers Christmas  Gift Tags

Make your Christmas gift extra special with one of these adorable goat Christmas Gift tags – created especially for goat lovers by © goatlady GetYerGoat™ Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GetYerGoat

Best Selling Goat Christmas Ornaments

 

Best Selling Goat Christmas Ornaments

Christmas tree ornaments for goat lovers, a breed for every goat lover. Decorate your Christmas tree with goat Christmas ornaments, give as a gift, tie on to a special package for the favorite goat lady or goat dad in the family – Great for 4H goat kids too!

Goat Lovers Christmas Stockings

 

Goat Lovers Christmas Stockings

A variety of great Goat Lovers Christmas stockings for the ultimate little goat who gets to have his or her stocking on the mantle, or for the eccentric goat lover (like me) –

All original designs by © goatlady GetYerGoat™

Goat Lovers Coffee Mugs

Coffee Mugs for Goat Lovers

SHOP all our Goat Lovers mugs Here 

We have over 400 mugs from which to choose..


My Goat Ate my Homework

All the excuses your kid could have but this one takes the cake.. or gets yer goat 😉
My goat ate my homework.. sure he did..

Well OK maybe he did!!
We have the proof on t-shirts, sweatshirts and other items with this adorable billy goat with what looks to be a math paper in his mouth.. complete with a baseball cap.. what a doll..  see items here   Original artwork by ©goatlady GetYerGoat™