Mepsy the Black Sheep of the Family

Do you sometimes feel like "the black sheep"?

Let me share with you Mepsy's story. Maybe it'll expand your perspective on the "different" or "weird" ones, those who don't seem to belong…

As it is with most human lives, the drama started early for this unusual Bavarian sheep. She was only a few months old when a fox bit her in the neck, leaving her nearly dead. The person who brought Mepsy to the farm in search of help said, "If you can save her, she is yours." The hand of God, along with Mepsy's extraordinary destiny, brought her just to the right farm, where animals are treated as close family members and are given the life of dignity everyone deserves.

There, she was deeply loved and given special care by humans and a large Great Dane dog (like the one on the famous cartoon Scooby-Doo) named Zorro. He was her great companion and one of the dedicated caretakers on duty. They even slept in the same bed at the time, and Zorro would sometimes hug her with his paws. It took continuous effort on the part of the team, but eventually Mepsy completely healed and was given the chance of a new life.

Zorro was kind of a role model, so Mepsy began to mirror his behavior and would speed to the door, bleating "baa baa" when someone rang the doorbell. Grandma would get furious when she would bite on the potatoes stored at the cooler side of the house and Mepsy would take off quickly as soon as she got caught in the act. Mepsy would go for walks on the leash and one time even went for a naughty getaway through the neighborhood with her buddy, Zorro. There weren't many examples of this kind of close friendship in the area, so soon after they left, a phone call came from one of the neighbors and the two of them were brought safely home.

When Mepsy was a bit older, the day came to say goodbye to her dear friend Zorro and begin a new chapter of her life in the outside world. Similarly to when many of us had to say goodbye to close friends and family members to start a new challenge when life calls. Pretty soon, Mepsy was hanging out with the donkey crew, which became her new companions. At the time, some other sheep were living on the farm, but Mepsy was exceptionally different. Although she did not reject her own kind and also spent time with them, she was just more comfortable with her unusual herd, a mother and daughter donkey.

You see, Mepsy was not born a dog but experienced part of her life, living as one and developed a pure and loving friendship with a remarkable friend. She is not a donkey but chose to live among them, sharing great moments and looking at their differences as assets instead of a reason for conflicts or disputes. There was no hierarchy among them, no need to show off nor to impress one another.

Arguments were rare, and there was no pointing fingers, judgment or criticism of others different from herself. They simply were… enjoying the beauty of life and the joy of genuine and authentic companionship. From time to time, she would even hang out with the only goat, Ben (who I think has a crush on her).

For over twelve years, Mepsy lived as an example of what is possible when we don't mind what others think of us and choose to be exactly as we are. She healed, played, and was able to live happily among completely different species, backgrounds, and cultures. She experienced new horizons, dared to "think" outside the box, and strived to live beyond the ordinary. Mepsy has been experiencing life to the fullest and has raised the bar for other sheep to "think" and act outside their self-imposed and environmental limitations. She is a great example of what is possible when we live freely beyond the norm. She has shown that being different and expressing unusual traits could not only be a good thing but an amazing characteristic for living a wonderful and fulfilling life.

Today, Mepsy is no longer with us, but she fought bravely for her life as she did in the beginning, for several weeks until leaving the body behind at the lap of the one who saved her many years earlier, to surely enjoy her next adventure in animal heaven.

Thank you, Mepsy, for showing us that being the black sheep isn't so bad after all. I am so grateful for your wisdom and teachings of what could be if only we choose to just be our very selves.

How are you different from the norm these days? Is wanting to "fit in" stopping you from being your true self and all you are capable of being? Are you preventing yourself from living a greater life by associating only with "sheep of the same herd"?

In honor of the sheep that taught a human what life is truly about.