March 27, 2006

Remember, your vet check is due each spring. Please print one and mail it to ASAP. Thank you!

This moment is as good as any to sit down and share a few parting thoughts before my family and I go on a new adventure to the Black Hills Horse Expo.

We are hoping to get the word out more about Standarbreds further west! Wouldn't it be great for Standardbreds to be finding more homes in new places? I know Standardbreds are not well known out west but with this endeavor I hope to spread the word about this great breed. We are taking Lake Hills Texas, Janimal, and Randy. Right now Randy is standing in a stall in the barn kicking himself for letting himself be caught in exchange for a treat out of the treat can. He is giving me the very ticked off look, head sideways looking back at me, pacing in his stall, chewing on the wood out of spite for me. Poor Randy! He is so retired, but I cannot resist taking him with me, as he is best friends with Janimal!

My daugher Cherie has been taking an Anthropology class and in this class she has to write a paper on God vs. no God in this world. And, if God is all good why is there so much suffering in the world? I have often asked myself the same thing, but also know that recently at church the kids have been learning about how the meaning of hope is something good coming out of something bad. I told Cherie that it is hard to denounce the reality of God and His goodness when you wake up in the morning and have food to eat and clothes to wear, that you look outside and see the trees and clouds and sun, and Creation is just singing and praising. I think its just a miracle to be alive!

On the other hand I have felt a lot of bitterness and anger at the thought of people that do not take care of their gifts. Horses not fed or treated properly, people who say they are caring and loving and conscientious who turn out to be quite the opposite. What happens? It isn't God's fault when things go wrong... us humans do quite well all by ourselves!

I have had the chance to get to know quite a few people even better this past week. I think it was meant to show me that every person is their own walking miracle. My mother, who has struggled with Parkinsons for six years, is almost asymptomatic as of last week. This is such a miracle! One part of me is bitter and angry because every single doctor appointment in Neurology was the same song - us telling the doctors that my mother is usually vivacious full of life and dancing, but look at her now, all slumped over a walker and unable to even get out of a chair. The neurologist yawns, covers her mouth, obviously not believing me or my mother, and for six years keeps her on the same dose of Mirapex which has done nothing but make her dizzy and weak.

Two trips to emergency, two times falling and hitting her head......one caring nurse - ONE - saying we needed a medical case worker. What is that? Never heard of it. Come to find out it is an RN who will act as an advocate and go to doctors appointments with my mother and help be her voice (who was I? Chopped liver?). One visit - one medical case work - mom's medications got changed. One week - one day -mom gets up and starts running around the house! No walker. No cane. No help dressing. Bright eyes and smile - a new life restored to her. What did it take? I guess it took perseverance! I guess it took us yelling loud enough that finally someone listenened. My mother now has her miracle, and she wonders why God wants to keep her around? That just astounded me when I heard it! How could she say that? But today is a miracle! A great reason to spread the word to all of you to not give up, to keep on going - to find the people who can care and can effect change. God is good!

I also spoke with a man last night who recently had his adoptive parents pass away, his wife left, he had a major heart attack and surgery, and his sister committed suicide. Wow, I said, how did you make it? He said, "God is good and he carried me through!". I talked to another man who told me of his triumph over cancer, and how he remains in remission. All of us have our struggles but each one of these people is a miracle in my life that has added meaning and reinforced repeatedly the goodness of God!

In terms of miracles and horses, they continue. Inside Straight is now in a loving home getting fed well and receiving the attention he deserves thanks to the Malettes who went to more or less rescue him last Saturday. We can be angry at the situation and bitter but we have to revel in the miracle of people who are sent to help!

I just got an update on R Tru Majority, Minnow, and Donna Jean Direct who all went to a home last year with people that had been approved to adopt but whom I never met. They just wanted to thank us for the wonderful horses that they consider such a gift in their lives. Donna is doing parades and rides, Major is the all around wonderful Standardbred who is unflappable and can do anything, and Minnow continues to make progress in her trust towards the family. Miracles. The whole situation... God is good!

Steelin Apples came in to Illinois from Pennsylvania. He looked so lonesome and forlorn in that barn at the fairgrounds that day. Where am I? He had had a week long layover with Steve and Deb Searle at Balmoral Park (thank you thank you) and then off to the fairgrounds to meet his ride to Wisconsin. His eyes looked so empty and lost... and due to paperwork he was unable to come home withus so went to a foster farm with Dondi in Savanna. Here it is three weeks later and he has developed a pharyngeal paralysis and is unable to swallow. The vet has tried to tube him but can't get a tube down - he is trying to eat and drink but cannot We are off to a vet hospital today but I need each of you to whisper a prayer for Apples - this horse ia such a gift to our program but he is emotionally and physically stressed right now and I know the Lord has His hand on him but we need more prayers! I will keep you updated as soon as we return from the horse expo.

We look forward to our opportunity to shine at Iowa Horse Fair, as well as the Mid West Horse Fair. We look forward to seeing you all and sharing about our miracles! Look for them - they are everywhere!

Susan