A Joyful Gift ...
One of the greatest joys I received this summer was helping my family celebrate my mother’s 85th birthday. My mother, Esther, has been a huge part of this business. She’s walked a path with me over the past seven years that few could have done so unselfishly. She has encouraged, listened, been a huge help with editing, proofreading, and even bookkeeping. It was just she and I in the beginning. This past July, along with my 5 brothers and sister, I gave her a gift I know she’ll treasure for a long time.
The last experience with a horse that she remembers was leading her dad’s plow horse down the furrows of their cornfield as he worked at keeping the plow in a straight line behind the horse. My sister, Sharon, came up with the idea for a horse and wagon ride for mom. I took great joy in putting the program together, even though I almost spilled the beans early on. From getting the sign painted for the side of the wagon, to arranging a beautiful team of Percherons, the excitement grew!
Alas! Sunday was here and we took mom to a breakfast place she’d not been to before. I’m sure she suspected something was up even though it was a week before her birthday. As we sat in the restaurant finishing up breakfast, a beautiful team of black horses pulled into the parking lot. Mom could hardly believe her eyes as we escorted her to the wagon.
For 2 ½ hours she reminisced about her younger days. The sound of the horse’s hooves as we trotted down the road, mixed with the telling of her memories, will be a sound we’ll all treasure. The grand finale was the rest of the family waiting at my brother’s house, our final destination. It was then I realized that most of the gifts we give our loved ones are “things” not experiences. She has talked about this event since it happened several weeks ago now. She shows all her friends pictures from this special day.
I will cherish this day as long as I live. To give someone you love this kind of joy is such a privilege. I guess I’m a little biased as my first love has always been the horses. No creature in my mind is as majestic, noble, strong, and so eager to please those who love and care for them. It was an amazing day full of joy and reminders about the more important parts of life.
Take time to peruse and enjoy the pages of this issue of the Northwest Horse Source magazine. Our focus this month is boarding and training. Enjoy the story of a new, successful facility and get some ideas for choosing that boarding and training facility for yourself.
Have a great summer and remember to ride!
Karen
Copyright © 2008 The NW Horse Source, LLC
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