Mama Bought Me a Llama

A Rave: Mama Bought Me A Llama

A couple of years ago it became apparent that the Christmas gift exchange between my mom and my family had become  a banking transaction. I was giving her money to spend on her trip to Florida, and she, in turn, was giving me and my family cash to spend as we wished.

It all seemed rather mercenary.

And since I don’t actually need anything — and believe me, I realize just how fortunate I am to be able to say that! — I suggested she donate the money this year to a charity.

“Which?” she asked.
“What ones do you like?” I asked.
“Well,” she said, “I kind of like Heifer International.”
“Me too,” said I.

And that’s how it came to pass that this year, mama bought me (in conjunction with my two siblings) a llama for Christmas.

If you’re not familiar with Heifer International, their mission (as stated on their website www.heifer.org) is “to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth.”

The site goes on to explain how it all started with a cow. Again quoting from their website, “Moved by the plight of orphans and refugees of the Spanish Civil War as he ladled out meager rations of powdered milk, Dan West, an Indiana farmer, volunteer relief worker and Church of the Brethren member, grasped that the people needed “a cow, not a cup”—cows that could produce milk so families would not have to depend on temporary aid. From that simple idea, Heifer International was born.”

Since I’m a strong believer in the “Teach a person to fish, and he eats for a lifetime” kind of charity, Heifer is a good fit.

The best part about my llama? I don’t have to clean up after him.

I hope he looks like this one; he’s kind of cute!