The holidays are here, it's snowing and cold. This time of year is when I look back - way back - and feel thankful. But I'm not here to share my sometimes idyllic childhood memories...just some of the things I've gleaned through experiences over the past five years at EBC Therapy Center.
When you think of giving and getting, what comes first to mind? Work, school, play??? Some would say they give time to get paid; give ideas to get recognition; give money to get educated; give sweat to get fit. These are awesome examples and they all add up to a rise in self-esteem and self-improvement. Well, I don't work any more, nor go to school (though do take the occasional continuing education class), but I definitely play...and, most importantly, volunteer - at EBC.
My experiences as a Physical Therapist brought my retired self to EBC to check out this thing called hippotherapy. My knowledge of horses was next to nil, except that they were big, gorgeous, powerful animals and, as a young adult who periodically went to trail ride, I needed to hold on and not fall off. I was immediately in love with hippotherapy and what I observed it gave the kids. My love for the horses came shortly thereafter...I think after the silent conversation I had with Babe, whose loving look told me so much more about his relationship with those kids than any person could ever put into words, that it made me cry.
I began reading everything I could get my hands on related to the equine species, watched every video, took (and continue to take) horsemanship lessons and, six months later, I had my own horse...my Jitterbug Boy.
If I actually tried to tell you in this one sitting all that I've "given and gotten" in these past five years, this blog would go on forever. Instead, I'll share these gifts in segments - gifts I've given and gotten in my time at EBC and my journey for never-ending self-improvement. And I hope that, by sharing, I can somehow make your life's travels smoother.
Happy Trails!
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