When I began volunteering at EBC five years ago, I knew nothing about horses. Babe called me to him one day, just two weeks into my stint. He spoke to me with such wisdom in those eyes - those big bright eyes. He had much to teach me. He'd be my mentor and friend. I fell in love and fell hard. I cried tears of happiness then because he ignited a passion.
My early lessons were with our Babe. He taught me some of the finer points of horsemanship, like patience and use of energy. He nuzzled me whether I made mistakes or not.
After I had my trail accident, all swollen, contused and concussed, I chose Babe to be the first horse to get back on and the first to take for a safe ride on the trails. My therapist, my healer. Our trustworthy Babe.
And, so, this past Thursday, under a bright blue sky, I removed Babe's blanket so he could feel the warmth of the sun all over. As I groomed him for the final time, he looked back at me as if to say, "C'mon" and started to mosey down to the shale trail. I followed. His last wish was to be on the trail again. We could only go so far because the snow was too deep. And, naturally, he understood. On our way back, he paused to gaze up at the pasture where they grazed in the summer months. His eye relayed fond memories.
With that, as the other horses looked on from afar, we said farewell to one of the best, serenaded by the birds who accompanied "21 Horse Lullaby" from my Ipod, all to drown out our sniffles and sobs. Dear Babe, you will always be...
..."Unforgettable in every way. And forever more, that's how you'll stay."
