October 3, 2009
Well, “for every thing there is a season, and a time for every matter under Heaven”. My mother passed away on September 7, 2009. I thought I was ready….she had been ailing for a year or so, but I found out that you are never really ready for your mother to leave. I found out, in writing her eulogy, how much like her I am. I found in her closet and drawers, things that I would buy, colors that I love. Why didn’t I know that before? But this is a horse column so let me tell you a story about my mother.
My mom was not an animal person, to the point where I thought maybe I was adopted. She tolerated my riding as a child, finally giving in after years of begging, to get me a dog and a horse. She always secretly hoped I’d outgrow it. She was so sure it was a faze that she wouldn’t spend the money for a saddle, thus I rode bareback. I had a halter, a bridle and some brushes. When I was grown up, I was still wishing I had my ranch. Despite not understanding it, or even condoning it, she wanted me to be happy, and made that happen. She loaned me the money to build my dream. She would ask me from time to time “How many horses do you have now??”. Isn’t that what we want as parents, for our children to be happy? Most special occasions were spent on the patio at the ranch. She would pat the dogs and even adopted one of our kittens. She worried about me getting hurt, but she loved me so much she put aside her own ideas and preferences to make me happy. Thank you, Mom.
In my own time and my own season, I am scaling down my business to mostly boarding. I have had a great time giving riding lessons, conducting equestrian camps, training and putting on clinics. It is a form of retirement, really. I want my time to spend with my father, who is 89 years old and left alone for the first time in 66 years. I want my time to visit my grandchildren who are scattered throughout the west coast. My mother gave me the ranch, and the ability to retire if I want to. I couldn’t ask for more.
As a result of all this, I will be pruning my blog, events and activities. I wish all of you well, and happy trails.
