08/11/2025
It’s taken a minute to get back to normal around here. This post has been on the top of my list but I’ve put it off because it makes my heart burst with pride and sorrow and I ugly cry.
Brooklynn did enter the ring by herself this year but definitely not alone.
The thing about these auctions and the whole 4-H and FFA programs is to teach us more then we think we need.
7 years ago Brooklynn was a bit of a mess, she couldn’t talk until she was 6, she could only say a few sentences and pretty hard to understand at that. She had no self confidence, no self worth, no direction for her life.
As her parents Jim and I tried to fill her heart and her soul with as much love, understanding and guidance as she could hold.
She needed these programs. Through Gods divine guidance he put her into this path by putting us where we needed to be that faithful day selling crafts at a 4-H fair. That fair is where her whole life would take a change and she would venture out into the amazing rabbit universe.
7 years later she is completely reborn. She full of confidence, so much Knowledge, wise beyond her years and so much self worth she pours it into others. The one thing that has never changed is this child’s love of all things living and respect for those who are no longer.
On this day August 2, 2025. Brooklynn grew even more. She stepped out into this ring to auction off her rabbits knowing this would be the last time she would see them. Play with them and give them strawberries. But it would not be the last time she loved them.
This whole auction was filled with tears of pride and strength. But also sadness of the circle of life.
She has never had the strength to tell me how to help her when she is having an “episode” her autism induced anxiety was kicking in harder then it has in years. She stepped back when I reached to hug her and said. Please mom don’t touch me, don’t look at me, and don’t cry. I’ll let you know when I’m okay.
She want not being mean, she was telling me what she needed at that moment. She stepped into that ring and did her best to smile. That was the first thing she asked when it was over, was mom did I smile? I could tell she was loosing the battle and I tried not to look at her directly. But through the crowed she found me and she stared at me and you could see her filling with pride as she raised her head and smiled and looked back into the crowed. Once it was over she bowed her head to say thank you and left the ring to find her Dad. Who is the one that keeps her grounded. I give her strength, he gives her focus and peace. She did it! She sold her rabbits and quickly went with the director to thank her buyer, but then it happened. Once she walked back she broke down in tears knowing she had conquered her fears but also knowing she wasn’t done. She went to the bathroom to collect herself. There was a little girl crying in her own stall, And that broke Brooklynn’s heart all over. It also gave her the knowledge that she wasn’t alone in her pain. Every child there was having to go through what she was going through. Having to say goodbye to their animals. Having to be alone in that ring. But that little girl crying in that stall knew she wasn’t alone. Her mom said honey are you okay. She replied with broken choked up tear filled voice yes mom. I’m okay I just need a minute. That’s when I knew our Brooklynn was going to be okay. She just needed a minute alone. I turned and left the restroom ugly crying but knowing everything will be okay.
Some think these programs are cruel but it’s not. What’s cruel is knowing your child needs help and not trying everything in your power to help them.
Brooklynn needed these rabbits and she loved them for the short time she had them. She has had the worst summer of her life this year. Losing some of her most special rabbits to old age. It’s been hard, but this fair and these programs have been the best part of her summer. She knows the circle of life and how hard agriculture is. But also how deeply important it is. Because without these young kids learning how to raise these animals with love and respect and how to say goodbye, there would be no food on anyone’s table. No healthy food anyways.
When she was finished thanking her sponsor and giving the gift she made, she quietly walked back to her rabbits and picked up Flamethrower, she went to her seat and laid back letting flamethrower absorbe her pain and fill her with his love. You can see how these animals heal her, in just one picture and this my friend is the precise reason we move the world to help where ever she needs us to. We know the power these animals have and give her. It’s not about winning. It’s never about winning. Winning is just the bonus. The true reason is right there in that picture. We are average everyday people, we don’t have alot and we don’t have a lot of money. We do what we can and go without so she has the tools she needs to learn and grow. Her life is different she has disabilities that make the tables harder but not impossible. She works her ass off everyday more than any kid I know. My health issues cause her pain and I asked her if she wanted to see a therapist to talk about her feelings if I don’t get better. She said I don’t need to talk to someone else I have my rabbits I talk to them and they love me no matter what I say. It made me laugh but also cry. Thank you to everyone who has helped her get where she is today.
Brooklynn has big dreams. She’s graduating high school this year. She wants to take a year off to travel and show her rabbits and she wants to go to college to be a veterinarian specializing in small animals (rabbits and poultry) that sentence is branded into my brain. The first time she told me I thought. Wow now that’s a pretty specific dream.
She also wants to build a rabbit barn and go to the 2025 ARBA convention in Indiana in November.
She is saving everything she makes to achieve these goals. Be prepared for our sales coming soon to help get her to convention!
But most importantly she is also growing. Growing in ways that couldn’t be possible if not for these programs and these auctions. Growing and sharing her love and knowledge with everyone is the highlight of her journey.
Thank you to everyone who loves this child, who helps her in ways we can’t, who guides her and lets her be herself and listens for hours to all her stories about her rabbits.
Thank you to all her sponsors who donated their time to help this girl find herself.
Thank you is never enough. We love you all more than you will ever understand.
Until next year. Xoxo
Thank you for the hoodies she lives in 90% of the time. 💜
****EDIT****
Brooklynn asked me to remove the picture of her right after leaving the ring and out of respect I did. If you saved that picture please do not share it. It’s very personal to her.
Thank you
