Jack's first lesson, what he taught me

So Jack arrives home and I am thrilled beyond words. I felt like I was living a dream, that I would go out to the pasture and he wouldn't be there, that I couldn't possibly deserve to have a horse like Jack. I also wondered at times if I was up to building a partnership with a young, green horse...what was I thinking. But there are times we just follow our hearts and do not need to ask questions.
So Jack set about to teach me the first lesson he felt I had to learn...appreciation. I thought that I knew what it was to appreciate something, but I had never felt the depths of how deep that feeling could run. He taught me that to appreciate something doesn't require that something to have a job, to do anything, to have a role. No, there are times we can appreciate something simply because it exists. To be able to sit and just watch Jack grazing brought about so much joy that first week I often felt overwhelmed. To have him nicker to me and walk over, putting his nose in my hands made me feel special at the end of a long day. If Jack saw me as a worthy person at the end of each day, that was all that mattered. He quickly became my yardstick. So as the first month we were together was spent getting to know each other, Jack had already begun to change my life without me even noticing. Jack became my new teacher, a role he still continues with amazing talent and skill.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain.

PS
6/7/10
Jack, I did my therapy today. I walked up and down the long stairs 4 times today. I also did my ankle strengthening exercises. I had a moment of panic when I drove by your section of the pasture this morning...you weren't there and that early in the morning it took a minute for my old mind to remember you were at rehab.
I will see you on Tuesday afternoon
Love the DOR