One Australian sheep farmer found a way to honor his beloved aunt even though he couldn’t attend her funeral service in person.
A global pandemic sure presents a lot of challenges. But it also causes folks to be more innovative and better problem-solvers. That’s one lesson learned over the last couple of years.
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So, in spite of travel restrictions, sheep farmer Ben Jackson of New South Wales, using his skills and creativity, gave his Aunt Debby a send-off that would have made her “proud as punch!”
Ben’s Aunt Debby battled cancer for two years before succumbing to the disease. Though they’d visited months earlier before social distancing mandates were put into place, Ben was unable to travel to Brisbane, where Aunt Debby’s memorial was held.
However, the vastness of Australia and widespread lockdowns don’t measure up to the massive heart that Ben created with his humongous herd of sheep.
Ben had choreographed works of art with his mammals in motion previously. And Aunt Debby had been a fan of the living logos and symbols he’d created. However, Ben found no project so rewarding as creating this expression of love for the woman he describes as “incredibly giving.”
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Ben used feed to lead the sheep into the desired positions. The sheep farmer laid the grain in the shape of a heart, and then released the sheep into the pasture. As they followed the food, they filled in the shape. Though it took a few “takes,” Ben’s sheep performed perfectly and were filmed by a drone in the process.
Ben sent the video to family prior to the service. Playing alongside one of Aunt Debby’s favorite songs, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” the video was shared with mourners. And, more than just family and friends enjoyed it—the sheep farmer’s video went viral. What a wonderful testament to the person she was and to the love shared between Ben and his aunt!
“I just decided to do a massive heart in the ground, which in all earnest, pales in comparison to hers," explained Ben.
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“Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.” 1 John 2:10
Ben and a mob of singles organised a tribute to his Aunty pic.twitter.com/R33SuN6YoK
— James Jackson (@guyrajack) August 24, 2021
h/t: BBC News
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@guyrajack
Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. A former school counselor, Hally works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and prevention education providers that serve her county's kids and families. She's a contributor to a devotional and two essay collectives, and she shares resources and wisdom regarding parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at http://www.hallyjwells.com where she strives to "Dig Deep and Reach High." She and her husband have three adult children and one rascally beagle pup. Hally loves travel, her book club sisters, personality tests, and a great glass of iced tea.