Ridecamp: Re: [RC] ride stories

Hi April,

We'd don't have enough 'appreciation' for our other-half.  And I just have
to reply to your message......if any of you have a husband, wife or someone
you ride with and love, cherish every moment of it.

My husband, Den, and I have been married 40 years this past April.  I always
'had' horses and he became involved (he's from a ranch in Oregon).  After he
retired 12 years ago -- we began a lot of our adventures!  Travelling 6, 8
months a year with horses in tow.  We don't endurance but we trail ride and
horsecamp.  We've hauled most of the western states and back east plodding
through some beautiful country.  Those nights with horses highlined or in a
forest corral, sitting around a campfire, talking about the day, deciding
where to go next and then sitting in silence and watching the stars dance
across the sky are some of my favorite memories.

We're still together but last March Den had a stroke.  He has permanent
brain stem damage.  He's improved but will never ride a horse again.  Or be
able to go camping for long periods -- a day or two at the most.  It's been
hard on him readjusting from a life where he could do anything in life he
wanted to to a life of having difficulty just getting dressed.  Remembering
a lot of those riding days is gone and he listens to me 'tell him a story'.

He remembered his horse's name, Bud, after a few trips to the barn.  He pets
Bud, brushes a few strokes and Bud stands there waiting for the usual apple
but only gets it when I remind Den.  Bud takes it very carefully from Den's
hand and even Bud knows somethings wrong -- especially with a stranger
keeping him in shape.

Our whole lives have been changed.  Everything from that March day on is
different.  We will never be the same again.  Memories have become the focus
instead of planning for another ride or trip.  Den tells me to stay involved
and ride but I don't find it quite as enjoyable as it used to be when I
could look at him, he'd smile and we'd just ride on.  A part of me is gone.
And I grieve that missing part.  Now we move in a different direction,
slower, but still together.

I will continue to ride.....riding Sig and Bud have kept me 'together' these
last few months.  Just not as far and not as often.

Every one of you should keep in mind that life changes in the blink of an
eye!  Relish those moments together, tell that person you love 'em and 'hold
hands' more often.....because it's those memories of 'hand holding' that
will keep you moving in the future!

Bonnie Davis


----- Original Message -----
From: "AprJhn" <AprJhn@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "ridecamp" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 7:46 AM
Subject: Re: [RC] ride stories


>
> Well, this isn't an endurance ride, but it was a trail ride. My hubby had
come with me to check out a new trail. He was riding our free lease, Serts,
and I was riding my guy, Tanna. We were trotting and I pulled up beside my
husband. He reached out for my hand and we trotted along for awhile side by
side holding hands. Sappy, but very cool feeling. ;)
>
> April
> Nashville, TN
>
> Susan Young Casey <glenn218@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> >To this day, Jesse teases me about kissing men on the
> >trail. I can't think of a better place to kiss a man, though!
>
>
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 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

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