Remembering Toasted

Today marks eight years since my childhood horse, Toasted Chance, passed away. I thought about her as I went on a trailride this afternoon with Ben. We rode on the same trails that I used to ride her on. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to own her and even more blessed to own another horse today. Because of Toasted, horses will always hold a special place in my heart and I hope that I will never have to span as much time without them as I have in the past 7 1/2 years. When I got home this evening I looked through my journal and read the entry I wrote on the day she passed away. In her remembrance, I'd like to post it here to share with you.

"Thank You for Teaching Me"

For the last 10 years we have spent together

Walking through fields,

Hiking on trails,

Swimming in the ocean,

Jumping over obstacles,

Dodging tree limbs,

Fancying ourselves up for a show,

Prancing to music,

We have become ONE.

ONE HEART, ONE SOUL, ONE MIND.

Thank you for listening to all of my complaints,

For letting my tears fall over your shoulder,

For making me smile when no one else could.

For teaching me love, trust, companionship,

Confidence, courage, responsibility, dedication,

The value of hardwork, and to listen with

My whole body and soul.

You have altered my life in so many ways.

Each decision that I look back on making over the

Past 10 years held you in mind.

I wouldn't be who I am today without your presence in my life.

Now that you are gone I feel empty.

I hope you know that no one wil be able to take your place in my heart.

I only pray that we will be able to meet again someday.

With you by my side,

Together we will ride,

Through valleys and hills left untried!

I'm sorry I had to be the one to make the decision to let you go.

Please forgive me for what I have done,

I just couldn't bear to see you suffer so.

Wherever I go now in life without you

I'll always remember your

Soft nicker,

Gentle nudge,

Wet kisses,

The smell of you in the rain,

The slickness of your coat just after a bath.

But most importantly the way you'd always make me laugh!

Thank you, Toasted, for teaching me!