Family

Last night I pulled a chair into the driveway to watch the lighting and storm rolling in (it never did). It gave me time to review the day, count my blessings, be thankful for the good that had come that day. It gave me time to reflect and relax. Something I have been needing for awhile. We've had a lot of stress lately and I'm not coping with it very well. Hopefully there will be some light at the end of the tunnel.


I am saddened but I have made the realization that I need to call the vet to make an appointment for Jessie. Her body is giving out and she's told me in her own way that she's ready. Now it's my responsibility to honor her wishes. It's a hard idea to wrap my head around. It's not like she's the first we'll have to say goodbye to, nor will she be the last. But she is family.


If you know me, you know family is the most important thing for me. I wouldn't have said that pre kids but it is true. My kids take priority (don't get me wrong, the horses get taken care of as well), and that is why I feel like I've been slipping a little. But the horses are also family. Each has their own personality, their own likes and dislikes, their own soul that draws me in to their quiet and calmness.


When I look at the herd, we've had most for many years. Jessie and Diavlo are the newest and it's hard for me to fathom that they've only been here for eight months. It feels like they've been with us for years. But I have said countless times, it's about quality not quantity when you spend time at Borderlands.


But it's not just the horses that become family. Each of the horses that comes to Borderlands had a past prior to coming here and calling Borderlands "home" for their final time on this earth. Sometimes we are fortunate to know the previous owners and we do our best to keep them in the loop of general activities and health. Others have come to Borderlands without any care from their previous owners. Those owners that we stay in contact with while the horse is in our care becomes family. They are a part of the horse's life and now a part of our lives so that makes them a part of our family.


It's also true of volunteers and those that help with the horses like our farrier. Our previous farrier (before he retired) would come whenever we asked. We became instant friends. We now go months without talking to each other but the minute we get a phone call or a text with questions or needing help, we are there. It's what family does. In fact, our previous farrier became godfather to all three of our kids. Because once you are around us and Borderlands for any amount of time, you become family. I consider our current farrier the same way. Even our vet is like family where I know that I can contact them with any questions (professional and personal) and they will answer. And if we need anything or they need anything, we'll be there.


So if you're considering becoming involved with Borderlands, just know, you'll become family if you stick around us for any length of time. We might be the crazy black sheep part of the family, but we are family and we'll be here for you.