Miracles and Meanings

I started working at a horse stable in Collierville the other day and have really been enjoying it.

Can’t believe just a few weeks ago, horses kept appearing in my dreams and now I’ve actually found a way to be around them more often in real life.

I’d subscribed to an email list for this place just to stay up to date on their programs and was contacted by the owner about whether I had any questions, so I wrote back asking if they were currently hiring and she said yes, they needed some help. We met up and that was that!

The sunset was so beautiful the last time I was there – I got to stare at it a few times in between feeding, watering, and turning the horses out.

My task is to memorize the horses’ names, their feed buckets, meal regiments, and which pastures they’re let out into. It isn’t easy caring for horses. There are 12 and all have their own needs – but it is absolutely wonderful to gain some experience like this. If I really expect to have a horse of my own one day, I need to know these things – how to groom, tack up, use my legs in the saddle, wash, feed, understand body language, guide the horse.

I got to ride a little too and had a nice refresher lesson on the basics, stuff I’ve forgotten since I took lessons as a young girl. I’m excited to learn more again.

While I was there I got to talk about my studies and the paper I wrote – which I’m still unsure will ever get published. It just so happens the owner wants to introduce me to a lady she knows who works on similar projects and is familiar with the subject of urban blight! I’m really grateful to have made these connections. I always felt like the networking aspect of my degree was so important yet unfulfilled. Now I think things are turning around. I’m just taking it a day at a time, amazed at how life works out.

I have a nice weekly schedule now that will keep me busy and allow me to grow in new ways. Even the route is nice – 20 minutes on the highway or 25 minutes the long way. I like the long way. Driving with the windows and moonroof open in the evening, listening to music. Having that time to myself, going places in my Jetta hatchback.

It’s not all bad… and that’s why I feel silly when depression somehow creeps back, because there’s so much to be happy about. What’s the use in dwelling or sulking, why feel empty when there are signs all around that life is full of love and beauty…