One Family, Two "Miracles"

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

15 Sep 2006 11:59 PM

What's that expression: "Lightning never strikes twice in the same spot?" Well, one Wisconsin family may disagree. It seems lightning has struck twice in the same spot for the Heider family-right on their farm. The Rock County family is the talk of the state (I know because I live Wisconsin and their unusual story has been water cooler fodder for days).

Twelve years ago the family received worldwide attention after they revealed that their rare white buffalo gave birth to a calf. The family named the newest addition "Miracle." The unusual animal survived until 2004 (though even after "Miracle" died the family says visitors continued to visit their farm). Then just a few weeks ago the unthinkable occurred: a second white buffalo calf was born on the Heider's farm.

According to news reports, this time, the calf (who incidentally is not related to Miracle), is a male, which the family decided to name: "Miracle's Second Chance." The newest member of the family is about a month old and the Heider's say they are bracing for international fanfare yet again. The reason: experts estimate that the chances of a white buffalo birth are one in 10 million (though, there's no definitive statistic on the rarity of a white buffalo).

Regardless, news is traveling fast and once again throngs of visitors are making their way to the Heider's farm. Most make the trip because the of the importance the Native American community gave to the original "Miracle"-a prophecy leading to world peace.

The Heider's told a local news reporter that the sight of "Miracle's Second Chance" brought back old memories of Miracle:

"We went over the hill and gone into the second pasture, and here's this white calf standing there sucking on a cow," said Dave Heider. "Still very wet, couple hours old at the most. And the first thought through my mind was just, unbelievable. How it could happen again?"

Minutes later Heider said he went to his wife and asked her if she wanted to be famous again. When she asked "why" Heider responded: "Because we have another miracle." To which Valerie Heider replied: "You gotta be kidding me. Here we go again."

How far would you travel to see a rare white buffalo?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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