Richer by Far

Chgo Botanic Gardens

I'm beyond exhausted.... My allergies are flaring up, every muscle in my body aches, my hand is numb, my head is throbbing, my sinuses are stuffed up, I'm sorely in need of grocery shopping, and my house, well let's just say if I don't get to wash the dishes soon, there won't be any room on the counter for more dirty dishes, yet I feel so deeply blessed that none of that matters.It's been such a wealth of tender and powerful moments to keep me going so I can ignore my cracking nails and fingers full of paint that I haven't been able to get off yet.

It's been quite a stretch of little and not so little moments: a special day with Rich seeing the play version of one of my favorite movies (Enchanted April), followed by time in the botanic gardens (always good for restoring my soul), welcoming Emily home for the whole summer (first time since she left for college!), and watching her leave again, excited to be picking up a school horse she's leasing for the summer.

Waki arriving at his summer digs

Sunday (Mother's Day) I was able to walk to the barn in time to see Emily unload Waki and see him exposed to his new digs for the summer. It's another form of soul restoration when I get to spend time at the barn around such good people and those dear horses. Emily and I returned home (yes, she gave me a ride home) as she informed me dinner was to be out and my choice. I was tired and suggested I'd rather bring in Chinese. What joy to see your once picky eater daughter going through the menu and having a hard time choosing between all the things she now liked. We made it a smorgasbord and I didn't have to leave home - she picked it up. As if it couldn't get any better, we both sat, exhausted, while watching old Addams Family episodes, laughing and just enjoying being together.

Commence the craziness. Working fast and furiously to get my Dad's house on the market by this weekend meant painting marathons for the week. My sister, her husband and myself have been working nonstop. Donna and I painted while John readied all the other items on the to do list. I've been painting there ever since and don't know when I'll be done. Besides the camaraderie working, when I finally got home at about 9:45 that night, Emily had some dinner waiting for me. Talk about a blessing!

Yesterday, though was the crowning touch so far. After the better part of the day painting, a quick trip home to shower and pick up Em and we were off to see my Dad land after his Honor Flight. Though it was late and we were exhausted, it was such an exhilarating experience. The hard work and planning, the pomp and circumstance, and the expressions on these Veterans faces as they ended their day was priceless. They got mail call on the plane, landed with the honorary water cannons as the plane touched down, were received through a procession of saluting military officers, police, scouts, and a huge entourage of flag bearing bikers. Then they headed downstairs to a very long line of us civilians (family, former military, beauty queens, etc.) who applauded and shook hands and thanked everyone of them as they came through. The stunned look and tears in their eyes as they were received like the heroes they are, well I had to fight back  the tears of joy a lot.

The topper... my Dad's face as he saw us in amongst this huge throng of people and then caught sight of Emily who he hadn't seen since Christmas. Priceless. (Did I mention that all this tribute at the end of the Honor Flight was a surprise for the vets?)

It's those big and little moments that have made all the aches and pains bearable. What a blessing to be able to look back on them as I'm finding yet another thing that needs to be cleaned and painted.

Monkey Love

Today we welcome our newest family member, Monkey.

Love at first sight...

Monkey came to our barn after suffering abuse. Our barn manager recognized a willingness to please and a sweet heart in this little scruffy horse. Afraid of quick motions, scared of things near his head, and generally timid, he had had a rough time. Jenny's patient work and training have brought him leagues from his arrival appearance at Bull Valley Stables. He will sometimes tolerate petting of his head. He's eager to please and exhibits such a sweet nature.  As Jenny explains it, he always tries, and keeps trying, even if he doesn't get it.

Unfortunately, he still has flashbacks to his previous life that can affect him. One such problem is jumping to avoid any contact with his belly while being ridden. Not something that can be overlooked when he's being ridden in the trick riding team and the tricks include under the belly tricks.

Lucky for Monkey, he was in such a loving environment, that the barn manager didn't want to see him slide back in his rehab and started a search for a solution that would be good for him once he left the trick riding team. That search led to my daughter who'd ridden Monkey on some of her visits back home after the tragic loss of her horse Diego a little over a year ago.

Following in the footsteps of her mother, an animal that isn't quite "perfect" or is "difficult" is her calling. The call from Jenny to get help finding a home for Monkey was met with love and excitement when, instead of finding a different home for him, Emily began moving heaven and earth to make him hers. Em's talent with "difficult" horses is right up there with Jenny's and we are sure that the devoted bond of a special owner over time will bring Monkey joy, love, and a happy life for the rest of his days. This rag tag little guy with the big heart has someone who will, no doubt, work to make them a team that can work miracles together.

As I reflect on this, I see a pattern in my life. Of the cats I've adopted over the years,(and I'm JUST short of being that crazy cat lady...) I've had my share of less than adoptable kittens. They've brought immeasurable joy and love to our lives. I see this penchant to love the "unloveable" translate to my jewelry artistry as well.

It's more rewarding to me taking old broken, odd lots, and orphan beads to make a piece than making pieces with standard beads. One example would be freshwater pearls that are mis shaped and irregular. To me they often add more to a piece than a perfectly uniform pearl would. Like animals, they seem to appreciate being part of a "family". They bring that special focal point to the piece. They make my "one of a kind" jewelry more unique and much, much more rich in depth.

My sentiments voiced in one of my favorite pieces.

And so, we welcome Monkey to a family that values the unique nature of "misfits" who have so much more to offer than we could ever imagine.

I challenge you today to embrace the unusual, the different, and the "damaged" in your lives. May you find special joy from that which others have abused or overlooked and, in the process, enrich your life beyond measure. Whether it's a person, an animal, a bead, or a beat up piece of furniture, it has a value. Embrace it or find the right home for it and life will be better for it.