This message is from: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Dear List, By the time you all read this, I will be moving to Pennsylvania from northwestern Illinois, where my business, Fieldstone Farm & Stable has been dissolved - it was also my home for 30 some years - where I discovered the Fjord horse, and thru this unique and clever breed - got to meet some of the finest people I have ever known in the horse industry. If I were to name each of you, Steve would yell at me for taking up too much space on the list. You know who you are. Thank you. Through this breed, I was able to do some things that might surprise you. I was able to start my own business as a trainer, rather than just a private trainer and so was able to: Set my own hours: So I could spend the time with my children, Todd & Robin, when they were young & teenagers and then when they were leaving the nest. I was able to pick them up after school and attend school activities. See them grow in bits and pieces, be there to pick up a few broken parts and watch them become what they are. I was able to be home at 3:15 every afternoon when they came home from school. No I wasn't June Cleaver standing there with cookies, but I was there. I was able to ride alongside when they needed their 40 hours of parent supervision for their drivers license. Oh those driving permit hours....!! more fun than Villa's cross country class.!!! I was able to have their graduation parties from HS and college IN my horse barn - filled with people who didn't care that the party was IN a barn! I was able to stand in my tack room, in the same spot and cry when they left for work and/or college. I was able to see the trees that I planted when they were born, grow to be 20 and 22 years old, beautiful, healthy, tall and full of life......just as my children are now. I was able to raise two fantastic children, and not leave my legacy from some trophy won but with them, in their memories of a good Mom who loved them, and tried her best. The things that really matter in life are listed above. It wasn't the ribbons, or the Grand Championships, or the highest scoring this horse over that horse at an Evaluation, ....it has been the ability to be there with the two most important people in my life. So thank you to all of my clients for trusting me with their horses, and allowing me to do the above - and especially to those of you who showed me what real friendship is all about and letting me be the recipient of your care and concern. Ribbons fade, trophies tarnish, accolades from the ring really mean nothing in the big picture of life, .... life can change dramatically in an instant. Find the small wonders in life and hold on to them dearly. Always, Pat Holland [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web.com - Microsoft® Exchange solutions from a leading provider - http://link.mail2web.com/Business/Exchange Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
