Me and Scout, my favorite horse at the riding therapy program I volunteer with
I love horses. I've been in love with them since I was a little girl and first realized what a horse was. I started riding when I was 12, got my own horse when I was 14, and sold her when I was 21, after I married my husband. Many of my best childhood memories are from those years with my horse, Dutchess. I miss horseback riding (although I still go whenever I get a chance, its rare now), grooming, feeding, even the smell of horses. (Horse people - you'll understand. Everyone else - I know you think I'm crazy, but it's okay, it's normal to horse lovers.)
Saturday morning was incredible! I love volunteering with my friend Katie at her riding therapy program. It gives me a chance to be me - the real me, deep down, who almost got pushed aside when I grew up, got married, had kids, and started working. Sometimes life comes along, and it pushes us away from our passions and dreams. But I don't want to forget my passion. I want to hang on to that dream. One day, when I'm done with school and my kids get older and life settles down a little, I want to have horses again. I want to live that part of my dreams again.
People know me as a lot of different things - wife, mom, Curves manager, student, future dental hygienist, Miche rep, and more. But for a few hours Saturday, I was me. Amanda, just Amanda, the horse-crazy kid who grew to still find some of her greatest joy with horses. I left the barn at noon, dirty, tired, and delirously happy - dirty boots and all. What a way to spend a weekend.
How lovely!! So glad that you were able to just be you for a few hours :)
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