Fast Game, Lucky You

I have tried all reverse-psychology tactics. I’ve tried all the “horse-whisperer” tips and tricks from Google, and I’ve definitely applied all I know from you. They say animals can love you unconditionally, but I’m pretty sure you also purposely annoy me in that same way.

One step towards you means you dart the opposite direction, turning on one hoof and snorting loudly as you mock my inability to catch you. Of course, you know every escape route and that you’re in the biggest pasture on the farm and that I’m already tired of chasing you down.

Even once, I knelt down and you took two steps toward me as if to say, “Okay, Okay,” (while you laugh at me silently) but there you go, running off again.  I watch you prance proudly around the borders of the pasture, showing off to your friends that the human is completely incapable.

Oh, but I know your weakness. I crinkle plastic in my pocket, and you stop; your ears prick up and you move slowly towards me, inch by inch. A Nature Valley granola bar makes you crunch your teeth in anticipation of the treat you TOTALLY don’t deserve.

“Your luck was BOUND to run out, silly horse,” I say as I slip the halter over your ears. You reluctantly clop along behind me towards the gate, and I have won the game once again. 

http://roundwon.blogspot.com/

Defining Moments and Self- Discovery

My sweaty and shaking fingers held so tightly onto the paper, I thought it might break and buckle underneath my grip.

My father’s quick nod gave me the kind of approval and push forward I needed.

“And,” I breathed, “I appreciate everyone who helped me get to this point in...” my voice trailed off. I gulped. “My life,” I finally choked out.

Looking out into the crowd, I had their attention. Every person was looking at me. It was all about ME. It was MY moment. It was my time. I was leaving home, and it was time to grow up.

It was that very moment I turned to look at my horse in the pasture behind everyone. Slowly, people turned as I walked through the parted crowd.

I was walking, and then I began to run. I ran so fast I thought I might trip, but I didn’t. I ran into the pasture and flung my arms around my horse’s neck and fought back tears. Startled at first, he slowly lowered his head and let out a long breath. 

I felt my mother’s hand on my back and let the tears begin to fall. I sobbed and she said, “Just because you’re leaving home, that doesn’t mean you leave everything you love forever; it’s just part of growing up.”

But I knew I could come back. I knew it wasn’t a long drive to come visit. I was only worried about becoming like everyone else. I was worried about becoming just another face in the crowd of 45 thousand students. Like Breton in Nadja, I, too, wanted to “strive to discover the nature.. the difference from them.”

I wanted to make sure that what I have loved forever remained a part of me on my long journey of self-discovery. The peacefulness I longed for, and held onto so tightly, would forever remain in that grassy pasture. 

http://eveningswiththeunknown.blogspot.com/