The Ride Of Your Life

     "Think harder. Think about a time in your life when you felt really special, a time when you knew you were really and truly, unconditionally loved."
     "I can't. I can't remember a time I was unconditionally loved. There's always conditions. Be this, be that, do this or else. You know."
     "Think back. There must be a time. You have to remember."
     "Why must I remember? Where are you taking me?"
     "We have seen it, we have smelled it, we have touched it. Do not be daunted by setbacks. We must find it again. We can't give up our quest to find our promised land."
     "I thought about it but I can't think of one time there were not any conditions on love."
     "Think again. What about a special birthday, a special Christmas? Do you remember anything? What about when you learned to ride a bike or went on a family vacation? Oh what about that camping trip you went on with your dad. Getting close?"

In Loving Memory of "Opie"
HL Open Throttle! 1991-2013

     "Oh I know it! It was the first time I galloped up a hill with my horse. At the bottom of the hill we made a sharp turn and went straight up the hill. It was kind of a surprise because we were running so fast but I held on. We turned directly into the sun and I was blinded. It was thrilling and exciting; like galloping with your eyes closed. I could only feel my way. I leaned forward to compensate for the incline and just tried to enjoy the ride.
    Then I remembered at the very top of the hill was a fence and I got scared. I didn't know what my horse would do but I didn't want to stop. I couldn't see anything because of the sun in my eyes and we were going so fast, faster than I was normally comfortable going when I could see where I was going."
     "So what happened? Did you fall off? Did she jump the fence?"
     "Neither. Thank goodness cause I had never jumped a horse. We came barreling up the hill and then without warning she suddenly stopped. I fell forward into her neck and grabbed on. The sun was going down over the trees and I could see again. She had stopped right at the gate. I let out a sigh of relief... pushing myself up off her neck I let out all the breath I had been holding in. I reached back over to hug her around her neck and took in a big breath of her sweaty, horsey smell. Oh I just fell in love with that horse all over again."
     "She knew what she was doing. She took care of you."
     "I had to put all my trust in her and she didn't let me get hurt. It made me feel very special, like we were one. I've never felt closer to anyone. She knew where the gate was the whole time. If I had caved into my fear of that fence, I would have missed the most amazing ride of my life!"
     It's our very nature to breath intimacy and seek adventure. An atmosphere deprived of love and meaning, one lacking security and significance, will choke the life out of our souls. We must continue the search for the promised land... the place we were created for. That place where we lay down our very souls into the hands of the one who created us and fully trust Him, moving together with Him, together as one as he leads us to the place He prepared for us.
    Mount up. It's time for the ride of your life!


Foal Update: Due Date 4-4-2014 is the average foaling date putting our mare at 340 days gestation. The equine gestational range is 320-360 days. Most babies come within +/- 1 week but can be as early or as late as 3 weeks without complications.