Dakota

I made it through cancer.  I made it through a bilateral mastectomy, chemo and radiation all while raising a teenage girl and nursing an elderly mom… and working full time.

How the hell?  Funny how God only gives you what you can handle.  YA THINK??? 

Well, I handled it and quite well, I must say.  Three years went by and many seasons.  One of the things that helped ease the insanity was spending time with my friends and family and plenty of rest and relaxation in the mountains of Sussex County, NJ where I parked my seasonal RV.  The Sussex County Fair was always a highlight of the Summer Season.  I especially enjoyed the horse events and spent time watching my friends from my barn compete.  For the last three years, though, I didn’t really have any contact with them.  I kind of… disappeared.  I knew that I was done with everything horses and in the banged up shape I was in, I wouldn’t be able to function anyway.  Not that I functioned much before!

I always loved Paint Horses.  I always wanted a black and white Paint horse… but, every good horse person will tell you… never buy on looks or color... it’s what is in the horse’s head that counts.  Oh, how very true that is!  BUT…. That doesn’t mean a person can’t dream of a black and white paint, right?

Right.

On my way home from the Fair, something out of the blue…  A gorgeous black and white paint standing in a field ...roadside….with the shelter of an old broken down red barn in the distance… literally locked eyes with me as I passed in my car.

Like a scene from the bible....the clouds parted…. a huge beam of white light shone on her and choirs of Angels sang the Hallelujah Chorus all on Route 635…Did anyone witness  this incredible heavenly experience?? The horse?? 
Screeching halt… turn around and have another look…..

I jotted down the number on the sign … and called that very moment.  “Yes, she’s for sale.  Would you like to come and take a look?”

NO… OH GOD NO… I can’t do this. What the hell am I doing???     “OK, I will be there tomorrow”.  

Not telling a soul, a day later I pulled up to the barn and together this petite lady and I strolled out to the field where this amazing black and white paint trotted up to me like she was mine.  I led her around, gave her a bath, groomed her long mane and tail and played with her.  In that instance, everything came back to me.  Her full kind eye, her smell,  the feel of a curry brush in my hand circling her striking splash of color was a dream come true…. It was certain that we connected.  Petite barn lady even said…”This horse dose not react this way with anyone.  I am afraid that she has chosen you.”

Yup. We chose each other.  Maybe she is my Satin??
So, Ritchie … checkbook and lead rope in hand, bought me yet another horse… Dakota….

Back to my barn, back to my friends and back to the hay and manure life that I didn’t realize I missed so much.

Oh... and yea… NOPE... I didn’t ride her.  I figured I had plenty of time for that.  She liked being pampered and that’s all I could handle right now… or cared to handle.

Plus, I really can’t ride.