Just something for all you folks at Christmas, specially my friends Fred, Mike and Alice who are "horse lovers"............

[Wayne in BC]

[attachment 13381 Horses.jpg]

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is walking by, one will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.

Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by God and those whom he places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see God.

Good friends are like stars.........You don't always see them, but you know they are always there."
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I did not write this of course, wish i had tho.....
It seemed to be made for all of you!
Wayne

 

[WillyP]

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[butch...ar]

eye had no-idea u had this in you, you ole coot!

 

[Micheal_R]

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to
the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses.
The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of
the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had
become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.
The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here but the city hustle and
bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different
life.

The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and
getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder but it gave them
a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each
year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at
day's end.

Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. "Why do
you not at least dispose of 'The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's
been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you
can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything
but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"

The old man looked down at his worn boots,
holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes I could use a pair
of new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near
with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We
keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry
Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. The
old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear
fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the
peace of the love that filled their hearts?

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation
smoldering on the frayed
wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".

In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking
at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to
his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But
the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to
the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help
cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and
the old man and his wife exhausted from their grief huddled together before the
barn. They were speechless as they rose from
the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was
nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white
head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a
frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared
our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the
old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon
our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved
most precious gifts that have been taken from us.

And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he
brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand. The journey
up the hill was hard for their old bodies in
the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill,
they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and
fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly,
every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering,
snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles.
And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass.
Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless
as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified,
he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in
resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and
glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night
light.

Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd,
safe.

At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led
the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had
led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were
frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling,
hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and
hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies,
pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety
beneath the pine. And now, she lay
among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she
had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the
golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---

Because of love. Only Because of love.

Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy, And again the peace of
love filled their hearts.



MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

[VT Dave]

kinda sums it all up don't it!

Dave

 

[Wayne in BC]

and this screen is uncommonly blurry.....
Thanks Friend!
Wayne

 

[JB(MS)]

Thanks for post it.

JB

 

[George-CT]

to my wife and I.

George & Jane

 

[Wayne in BC]

n/t

 

[Wayne in BC]

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[Wayne in BC]

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[Kelley (Texas)]

Please have a "Merry Christmas" and a "Happy New Year!" Kelley (Texas)

 

[Cierlast]

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[Kelley (Texas)]

help but notice something that was difference in regards to my life. When I started encountering some problems with my legs and resulting loss of mobility, my Son and his wife came by the home place on many occasions just for the sole purpose of seeing what they could do to help around the house and barn.

When we sold the home place last may, I did not sell my horses, two of which are old and retired horses. They are at my cousins ranch at Castroville, Texas. They will live out their lives and die a natural death and will never be put to sleep. They are good friends and they have earned their retirement...they spend the days in the pastures and the nights safely in a stall in a warm barn.

Mike, thanks for posting this story, kinda made me want to choke up for a moment. Please have a "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year!" Kelley (Texas)

 

[Micheal_R]

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[Sunny]

these two on to all of us is a real present! They both have such meaning, and it proves just what can touch anyone's heart. Deep down, we all like to feel good about a great ending, some of us can just show it easier than others. Thanks to both of you for sharing these with us! Wayne, it is hard for me to distinguish when I am wearing the bell, or when I am trying to listen for it all too often. I'm just glad we have the perogative to chose!

And Mikey, if the horses had not been under that lone pine, I would not have been able to stop the tears.

Thank you both!

 

[Wayne in BC]

anyone K? :blush:
I got this rep to take care of ya know

 

[Wayne in BC]

i had a notion you would.
Carol and i wish You and Debbie a peaceful and joyous Christmas.
The Angel you bestowed on us has been busy making sure that we do!
Wayne

 

[Sunny]

when it concerns matters of the heart! I always had you pegged for a big push over! So are Royal and Mikey!

 

[Wayne in BC]

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