This past Sunday I was late going to the barn to watch my son’s riding lesson. I stayed behind doing dishes and straightening the house as we still had guests and I was moving slowly on Sunday morning. I sent little D off with his Dad to the barn, and every time I do that, I have a slight pang of worry that is every mother’s burden, but I seem to have it more than others, I call it the Grandma Roon complex (my paternal grandmother could worry herself about anything)…

Why do I worry? I mean, he’s with his Dad, he’s in capable hands, and my son, although he’s just 5, has a good head on his shoulders. I guess I just worry about the unknown, what I can’t control. After all, I know I’m a control freak! Let’s not forget here: he’s going to the barn where there are several dozen 4-legged animals that outweigh him by thousands of pounds! I’m tellin’ you: that’s reason enough to worry, isn’t it?

I fought the urge to chase after him and I busied myself with the dishes and the laundry, took my shower and dressed, and after an hour or so, took off on foot to the barn. I took my time walking, breathing in the fresh air and making mental notes about drinking in the beauty of the day. Its moments like that that really invigorate me and when I feel closest to God. I can tune into the birds singing and hear the leaves on the trees rustle as I pass them, and I’m acutely aware of the miracles I’m witnessing. I try to lose myself in those moments as often as I can, so I forced myself to concentrate on the moment and not worry about the barn.

When I got to the round pen, I could see Grant, the appaloosa, loping around with a little boy in a skeleton t-shirt, controlling the action. As I got closer, I marveled at how little D is beginning to ride like his Daddy, same mannerisms, same seat, same subtle confidence and demeanor. My eyes filled with tears of pride watching this beautiful child grow before my very eyes.

I believe that there is just so much good that comes from having animals and teaching your child how to care for, enjoy, and live among them. To see the bond that is formed between a boy and his horse, or his dog, or his cat is just a beautiful thing. An animal to love and care for is a great life lesson in responsibility and love, and so fulfilling (for everyone involved). I am so proud of my son for his accomplishments riding, but also because of the firm but gentle way he asserts himself with his animals, and how much love and praise he pours on them. I believe that a great deal can be told about a person by the way you watch them treat their animals, and yesterday I was blown away by the way my son rode his horse, bathed and groomed him, and how he praised him for a job well done.

My worries flew out the window as I watched that little man growing before my very eyes and I turned my eyes upward and said ‘thank you’ for being here to witness yet another of His miracles in progress…

Tags: children, growing up, horses, Humor, kid activities