Eleventy-seven Years Later
- By: RanchFarmgirl
- On: 03/08/2010 10:34:52
- In: High Plains Prose
- Comments: 32
To some, my most recent “glorious moment” may seem more like a molehill than a mountain, but for me, it was an overwhelming and joyous occasion.
Many years ago, after having taken up horse breeding, I dreamed of a special steed for myself…a filly of gold. I already had the horse of a lifetime in my wonderful “Dolly”, but as a breeder, I set before myself the goal of creating a custom ride. Not only, would this 'dream horse' be what I wanted in the way of temperament and ease of training, but she would be a she and she would wear a coat of gold. Before we go any further, let me just say that one of the most important aspects of goal setting is to have realistic ones – which for me has always been a challenge. My motto: “Why work your way to the middle?” Sounds lofty, positive and inspired, doesn’t it? Well, maybe so, but it sure isn’t an easy row to hoe.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…I bred for a filly of gold twice and the 50/50 chance that genetic dice playing produced, well, I got skunked on both rolls. Ok, now we’ve chalked up 5 years of crop failure, so to speak. Both foals were healthy and lovely in every way but they weren’t gold. And, we can add shame to the equation. I was ashamed that I was disappointed in two gorgeous foals just because they were the wrong color. Vanity, I was guilty as charged. So, I dismissed the dream horse idea and that field of dreams was left fallow...sort of.
Years later, I purchased a beautiful buckskin mare that offered me another opportunity to play with golden genetics. My stallion and the mare were an ideal match in every other way as well. So, the mating occurred, but with a hitch. I promised myself I would be happy with whatever the outcome and it was a truth I honestly believed.
The day of delivery came eleven months later - then add 10 years of waiting too. I could scarcely believe my eyes. In the dark, at one in the morning, my flashlight was telling me I had a Palomino FILLY. Did I do a happy dance around my sombrero? No, I felt humbled. I wept. I was reminded in that moment that although I let go of a silly dream, the good Lord heard it instead as a ‘heart prayer’. In His time, not my own, I was given the desire of my heart. When my head and my heart were on the same page and dancing in time with the right attitude…my dream came true.
My golden darling wore a name I had saved for her during all those years of waiting. My grandfather was the last of the cavalry and in his old age, he still whistled “She Wore A Yellow Ribbon”…while he gardened or tinkered in his workshop. And so it was, she was registered as such and nicknamed “Ribbon”.
But, this phase of the dream wasn’t the momentous occasion I'm writing about. The full-circle experience is yet to come, actually, but it began last week with Ribbon wearing saddle leather for the first time! My ultimate goal was, as I said earlier, a custom ride. I need a willing and safe ‘pardner’ for ranch work and I can say that part of my plan was positively practical. But, my love of beauty hankered for a "classy chassis". I love a beautiful horse. To me, there is nothing in God’s creation more exquisite than equine beauty. And, last week I was blessed far beyond my little dream. Ribbon let me tack her up and work with her on her first day of "kindergarten" with incredible ease and a ‘heart of gold’. I’m not bragging, I’m blessing!
My custom tailored gift from above is the one I need to remember when I have a bad day, a worrisome day, a day of grief, a day of disappointment or just a 'loser' of a day. When I find myself in the mud puddles of life, I hope I remember the many times I’ve slid down the rainbow and landed hip deep into a kettle of golden coins. And then, I will be blessed yet again with comfort and the promise of better days and dreams to come. I hope my little story is two things for you ... a story you can relate to in your own unique life, and perhaps an encouragement...if you happen to be holding on to an old dream. Maybe your dream is just waiting for you to make your way there.
Comments
What a beautiful gift you gave yourself! I love your message...about holding on to "old" dreams...I guess some dreams have to float around out in the ether's for a while before they come home to roost! :)
I too have faith that one day my horses are out there waiting for me to arrive at just the right time for them! Did I mention that at least one of them is a Golden Palomino?
Deb ( who hears bare-foot horse hooves in her dreams )
Your sharing is such a blessing.
hugz
I just came in from going to look at a horse that I am considering purchasing...I am looking to buy my first horse at 51 years old. She is a Tennessee walker. I will be going back after lunch to ride her and see if we are a good match. Your story and testimony brought tears to my eyes and I just wanted to say thank you for sharing. God Bless you...I see He already has
XO to my fellow WY cowgirl buddy!
This blog entry came at a perfect time for me. I just came home yesterday from a horsemanship retreat. I don't own horses yet but it is a childhood dream I am working on fulfilling. The most amazing time for me came a few days ago during my first experience in the round pen. I did the "horse whispering thing" and when the horse looked at me with both eyes and then I turned and could hear his footsteps behind me I was nearly moved to tears. It was amazing! Thank you for your inspiring entries in this blog. I love every one of them.
And to Deb for inspiring me... I'm 48 and still waiting for my " dream ride".. I know he/she's out there...all in good time...
Cora Jo, you hit the nail on the head...We " farmgirls" do seem to dream out of the box!
It IS just the norm isn't it?
To Shery, thanks for all your wonderful words here and for sharing so many of your wonderful and unique Ranch experiences !
Deb~
Thank you for sharing this lovely story of almost lost dreams. The foal is amazingly beautiful!
My dream for years, though almost forgotten, buried, let go...has been reborn. A log home! This dream is coming true in the midst of a 25 year marriage that my husband has decided to bring to an end. It is my earthly father who is making this possible, thus bringing my dream to life and my precious Heavenly Father, who has never left me nor forsaken me, that is whispering in my ear that I am loved.
Blessings,
Tracy
Love your blog! I too have a special place in my heart for a Palomino. When I was in high school, my father brought home a mare. We called her Golden Lady (Goldie). She was my 4-H project and after that raised some "color" from her. After saying goodbye to her so long ago, I feel God has given me another gift...a Palomino mare we call Promise. God knows our hearts...and He does bless. (Hebrews 11:6) For me, patience is such a hard part of life. Thanks for sharing. Your horses are beautiful!
Today I read your blog for the lst time...I'm new to Mary Jane's Farm, but not new to being and loving being a farmgirl. My very lst horse and the love of my life was Captain Fox, a government bred Morgan who lived to be 39 years old. I thought all horses were like Captain, until I owned a number of them through the years and loved them all, but never quite found one who measured up to dear Captain. Life happened and we had to be city/suburb folks for a number of years and I never thought I'd see life on a farm again. God was good though, and we had a great life, but then, suddenly, life happened again and we made a move, my husband made a job change and we ended up on a farm again! God outdid Himself this time, as it's just such a special place...we call it Full Circle Farm, because we've come full circle in our lifestyle, and in so very many other amazing ways. Anyways, on the note of Captain....I began giving riding lessons here at Full Circle, and we have 11 horses, all of them oh, so special. There's a mare, Sassy, who we acquired, and she was to be a school horse. She did well for awhile, but then began to balk and fuss and buck and I knew she'd not make a school horse. I pulled her from my program and began to work with her myself. She's a buckskin and dappled and just so gorgeous, and..."sassy"! Little did I know that she would become "that horse"!! I would have never known it, had she not started acting up and letting me know she wanted to be a "mama's girl" only. Now, we are so bonded, it's not funny. I turned 57 this year, and God has given me this special girl with our special relationship...total trust in each other and knitted hearts...full circle, like the Captain and I once were. How merciful of our Lord to do this for me, after all these years! I love all of our horses, but He gave me a reason not to feel too guilty for keeping one out just for me! I'm going to love your blogs! Bless u and thanks so much!
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