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.