On Being Charm ... and Shelly

Sunday was one of the most glorious days I have seen in a loooong time in LA. Picture perfect weather as I drove to the stables in Atwater to see Mr. Charm. THE most gorgeous bay Thoroughbred you can imagine. A glistening, flat coat like a certain dog breed that I just can't recall the name of right now. A pit or hairless chihuaha, I don't know. The coat was so flat with almost an oil base to it so that your hand glides effortlessly over his defined musculature. And to hear he is 13 - insane! He looks like a youngster! He moves with such dynamism, confidence and at the same time he is sooooo laid back. He always wants to kiss your face and just KNOWS that carrots follow an interlude with momma. Momma (Kelli) lovingly nudges her boy and he loves her caresses and kisses. They are such a pair to watch. He knows on Saturdays he gets to run through Griffith Park up and down the hills slowing only for blind corners, free to be who he was bred to be - a runner. His nature is to love and be outdoors, plain and simple. There are no pretenses with Charm. He's his own man, confident and self assured enough to give and receive love. Where is MY Mr. Charm in real life? Oh well, that's ANOTHER blog.

I was fortunate to get on his back and walk around the arena as one year had passed since I rode and I wanted to be able to walk the rest of the week.

A dear friend Shelly died that morning and I found out while brushing Charm. The security of being with a horse was so perfect at that time. My life was spent on horses and they helped me through the uncertainties of childhood and many difficulties in my personal life growing up.

It was a shock to hear about Shelly although we knew his time was coming as his cancer had spread and it was only time.

Such similar beings Shelly and Charm. They are bigger than life and FULL of life, laughter and love of people. Both have the courage to run and know when to stop. They stand out in the crowd and people take notice. I knew that riding Charm on such a gorgeous day was something that Shelly would want me to do in his honor. I did so with purposeful thoughts about Shelly the whole time. I wanted Shelly to feel my joy of freedom on earth at the same time he was enjoying his on the next plane

Wherever Shelly is, he is free like Charm when he is at a gallop. His hair is blowing in the eternal winds of a beautiful place beyond our comprehension. He is so loved, just like Charm is by his momma. All is good in the world when you see the similarity between a man and a horse.

I guess that's why cowboys are who they are. But that's another story.