A girl, her birthday, and a goat.


It was Leanne's 16th birthday, and she wanted an unusual present.  The thing she wanted wasn't the sort of thing most 16-year-olds would ask for.  It wasn't music or cool clothes.  Not the latest electronics or jewelry to flash around to show how much she was loved.  It wasn't even money to use for whatever caught her fancy.  No, she wanted a goat.

She asked if we could put our gifts to her into a goat to be donated to a family in Africa.  She has always been satisfied with whatever she had; Leanne was never one to need the newest, best, or brightest thing.  She cared more about others, and if her birthday gift would make a difference in the world she lived in, that was fine with her.

And so, family friends (The VanRamshorsts!) borrowed a goat from some farm folk and brought it over to our house.  Leanne had no idea what was happening; we blindfolded her and brought her downstairs when they arrived with the fur-bearing long-eared creature.  As she descended the stairs she said, "I smell goat."  It was hilarious.  We celebrated, ate cake, and knew that, somewhere in Africa, a family was also celebrating.  They had a new goat.  And that made the world a better place, for them, and for Leanne.

That's my daughter.  We are so blessed as parents to have one such as her.  Thank you Leanne, and have a very happy birthday today.

Love, Dad.

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