scribblechic

I have countless mental snapshots of our daughter’s tiny hands clutching bundles of four legged figurines. She stages grand theatrical productions with a cast of colorful miniature horses in her window seat and along the edge of the bathtub, in the oversized sandbox beneath our backyard tree and in the center of our dining room table. Our daughter loves these animals with the blind infatuation of fairy tales and make believe. In the flesh, these same animals are no less adored.

For our daughter’s birthday my husband and I indulged in an afternoon trip to a nearby horse trail for a family ride. Greater than layer cake and extravagant gifts, we wanted to embrace our daughter’s love of horses as an expression of our appreciation for the eccentric spirit that brings whim and wonder to our days. What originated as a gift for our daughter, became a treasured experience rich with joy and humor.

As a family, each of us have ridden a horse before, but riding together there were undeniable parallels for our life together. Challenges and strengths, humor and compassion were as present as our guides.

Our daughter’s position as the leader was altered shortly after we mounted our horses. Without my husband and I intervening, the guide moved our son in front of our daughter. With this one adjustment I acknowledged how often our daughter is shuffled around our son’s needs, her strengths giving her both the freedom born of ability and the frustration of riding in another’s shadow. I saw this not with pity, there are beautiful lessons in these truths. On a horse we cannot pretend strength, the placement celebrated our daughter’s abilities.

My husband trailed us from behind, his placement acknowledging his ability to lead quietly. Content and capable he saw each of us, stopping when we stopped, eagerly restraining his wish to explore the forest at a faster pace. I was situated between my husband and daughter and marveled as I often do at their similarities. Equally in charge and gregarious, I was content nestled between their confidence and good cheer.

My son’s comedy of errors mirrored mine and I laughed freely at our expense. If the path veered right, his horse turned left while mine was seeking a snack.We cluttered the language of the reins with thoughts until relinquishing control and allowing our bodies to speak lending silence to our overworked minds. By the time our trail had wound back to the beginning I had found peace sitting present with my companions; absorbing the moment with my family beneath a blue sky framed by a canopy of lush green trees.

Tagged: Family, Musings