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2006 |
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When I was about 5 or 6, my family went out to the country to friends of my dad's, Sammy Jacobs. When we got out there, all that registered in my little head was I SEE HORSES!! While larger horses were saddled up for my older brothers and sisters, I was given a smaller one. This horse had been previously foundered and walked with quite the limp, but to me he was the most beautiful horse I had ever seen and the best part, I was going to get to ride him all by myself. I didn't have to "take turns"; I could just stay on him forever if I wanted. Well, to the eye of others, I was probably not having a good time; this horse did not want to go. He did not want to turn. He just pretty much wanted to stand there, but I didn't give up. I kicked, kissed, smooched and was even given a switch to help me convince him to step forward, and finally he did. In fact I had him walking all over the place by days end. As we were leaving, Sammy's father in law came over to me and gave me a crisp one dollar bill. This he said was for " breaking" that little guy to ride. Hey, we all know I did no such thing, but that little girl Deana, did not know it. And that, my friends, was the beginning of my love of horses. I can remember on a Sunday morning, my daddy would ask me to come to him. He would say, "We are thinking about going to Sammy's today, would you want to go??" (Now, really daddy that was a stupid question.) I would scream " YES", and daddy would smile. Oh, he knew the answer; he just liked to see me get excited. Time after time, we would go out there, and Sammy would saddle 10 to 15 horses we would all ride, including his kids, their friends and just some extras. After several hours of riding, Sammy would then unsaddle all of the horses. Never once did he ask for help. He just loved to see us kids have fun and be happy and that was worth all the sweating and hard work he had to do. Today, I have a place of my own, complete with lots of horses. On occasion, we invite people to come out and ride. I find myself saddling and unsaddling several horses for kids and adults alike. And no matter how tired I get, no matter how I wish I could just sit down and rest, I don't. Because I remember what Sammy did for me and how his love of horses passed on to me and I guess I hope someday, someone I saddled a horse for will carry on the love of horses for me. Sammy Jacobs passed away May 11, 2006. When my son told me, I was saddened that I would no longer be able to remind him that it was "all his fault" I have so many horses, and I found myself smiling. For I know that Sammy is up in Heaven, sitting strong and proud in the saddle, checking out my herd of horses (and his) that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He is not alone, because my daddy has been keeping a watchful eye on them for us.
I miss you. |
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