It is the last day of the year. I have kind of felt that ever since we
began the year 2000 and beyond, we are just floating around in this new
age. The year 2001, 2002, 2010, 2011 just sort of sounds weird and looks
weird. Why, when I was growing up, there was so much anticipation and
excitement leading into the new millenium, yet, when it arrived, so much
that is not good and perfect has been ushered in with it. World events
have included tsunamis, earthquakes, terrorism, and horrible war. I
wonder what the future holds, but part of me wants to go back in time to
the 80's and 90's where it seemed so comfortable. Funny, huh? I have been thinking a lot about the year 2010. I guess if someone would
have told me it would be the "last time" I would touch someone, hug
someone, or get to spend time with someone, I would not have believed it. Whether it is a beloved pet, an equine companion, a dear friend or loved
one, or acquaintance, unexpected "good-bye's" are such a shock to our
heart and soul. We never know when it is going to be the last time. I never knew when Cookie was chasing me across the yard and farm for me to
pick her up, or following me down the road to the best of her ability with
her crippled legs, that it would be the last time she would ever be able
to follow me. This year Cookie lost both of her eyes, and now she gropes
the house looking for me, then jumps on my leg. Every morning when she
wakes up my wish for her is that she will see again, but know that is
impossible. So I am her eyes. I am her life - I have to be - to keep her
happy and strong. I never knew when I headed out to feed horses in the lower valley one
night about a month ago that it would be the last time I would ever get to
hold Tigger in my arms. When I returned from feeding, Tigger ran to greet
me. I waited - I swore I waited, for all dogs and cats to get out of the
way. Yet, it would be the last time I would ever see Tigger alive. The
gross feeling of the truck tire passing over a bump told me I had done the
unforgivable - I had run over the very pet that was running to greet me. It was the last time she would ever run to me. I never knew that when we placed Flaunting It in her new adoptive home, it
would be the last time we would ever see her. Flaunting It had spent
years at a farm before being brought back to ASAP - and she came back thin
and tired. After an easy rehabilitation period, it was time for her to go
to a forever home. The adopter was so happy, thrilled and excited to be
bringing home such a nice quiet mare. Yet, within a week, Flaunting It
had died - aspiration and pneumonia had taken her. No one ever saw that
coming and no one ever knew it would be the last time we would see her. The circle of life is expected, yet sometimes hard to accept. I have seen
my mother failing this year. Every day when I leave her I hug her and
tell her I love her, as if it would be the last time I would ever see her. I could never imagine that I would learn that in November a dear friend to
ASAP had passed unexpectedly. Every year in March for the past many years
we have been asked to participate with ISOBA at the Illinois Horse Fair. John Cisna was the ever-present leader at the horse fairs, making sure we
had our stalls and our scripts ready, and walking with us up to the line
up point at the coliseum/arena. John was professional, articulate, a true
Christian and a lover of Standardbreds. In November, John was killed by a
train after purchasing and planning for transport of two race horses. I
am not sure if he was coming back from dropping them off north of
Springfield, or on his way to pick the horses up. The trailer was empty,
but the tracks in this small town where he drove did not have crossing
arms. The train tried to stop, but couldn't. We lost a great man when
John Cisna died in November. We are still trying to get over it. So we never know when it will be that "last time". Our pastor said that
if we are on this earth long enough, it is never a matter of "IF"
something bad happens to us that touches us all, but "WHEN". I look up at
my wall in my living room to a big sign that reads, "LIVE LAUGH LOVE"
A good motto to live by! Happy New Year to everyone, and I hope you all enjoy the videos that I
took yesterday. Sue
began the year 2000 and beyond, we are just floating around in this new
age. The year 2001, 2002, 2010, 2011 just sort of sounds weird and looks
weird. Why, when I was growing up, there was so much anticipation and
excitement leading into the new millenium, yet, when it arrived, so much
that is not good and perfect has been ushered in with it. World events
have included tsunamis, earthquakes, terrorism, and horrible war. I
wonder what the future holds, but part of me wants to go back in time to
the 80's and 90's where it seemed so comfortable. Funny, huh? I have been thinking a lot about the year 2010. I guess if someone would
have told me it would be the "last time" I would touch someone, hug
someone, or get to spend time with someone, I would not have believed it. Whether it is a beloved pet, an equine companion, a dear friend or loved
one, or acquaintance, unexpected "good-bye's" are such a shock to our
heart and soul. We never know when it is going to be the last time. I never knew when Cookie was chasing me across the yard and farm for me to
pick her up, or following me down the road to the best of her ability with
her crippled legs, that it would be the last time she would ever be able
to follow me. This year Cookie lost both of her eyes, and now she gropes
the house looking for me, then jumps on my leg. Every morning when she
wakes up my wish for her is that she will see again, but know that is
impossible. So I am her eyes. I am her life - I have to be - to keep her
happy and strong. I never knew when I headed out to feed horses in the lower valley one
night about a month ago that it would be the last time I would ever get to
hold Tigger in my arms. When I returned from feeding, Tigger ran to greet
me. I waited - I swore I waited, for all dogs and cats to get out of the
way. Yet, it would be the last time I would ever see Tigger alive. The
gross feeling of the truck tire passing over a bump told me I had done the
unforgivable - I had run over the very pet that was running to greet me. It was the last time she would ever run to me. I never knew that when we placed Flaunting It in her new adoptive home, it
would be the last time we would ever see her. Flaunting It had spent
years at a farm before being brought back to ASAP - and she came back thin
and tired. After an easy rehabilitation period, it was time for her to go
to a forever home. The adopter was so happy, thrilled and excited to be
bringing home such a nice quiet mare. Yet, within a week, Flaunting It
had died - aspiration and pneumonia had taken her. No one ever saw that
coming and no one ever knew it would be the last time we would see her. The circle of life is expected, yet sometimes hard to accept. I have seen
my mother failing this year. Every day when I leave her I hug her and
tell her I love her, as if it would be the last time I would ever see her. I could never imagine that I would learn that in November a dear friend to
ASAP had passed unexpectedly. Every year in March for the past many years
we have been asked to participate with ISOBA at the Illinois Horse Fair. John Cisna was the ever-present leader at the horse fairs, making sure we
had our stalls and our scripts ready, and walking with us up to the line
up point at the coliseum/arena. John was professional, articulate, a true
Christian and a lover of Standardbreds. In November, John was killed by a
train after purchasing and planning for transport of two race horses. I
am not sure if he was coming back from dropping them off north of
Springfield, or on his way to pick the horses up. The trailer was empty,
but the tracks in this small town where he drove did not have crossing
arms. The train tried to stop, but couldn't. We lost a great man when
John Cisna died in November. We are still trying to get over it. So we never know when it will be that "last time". Our pastor said that
if we are on this earth long enough, it is never a matter of "IF"
something bad happens to us that touches us all, but "WHEN". I look up at
my wall in my living room to a big sign that reads, "LIVE LAUGH LOVE"
A good motto to live by! Happy New Year to everyone, and I hope you all enjoy the videos that I
took yesterday. Sue
