Thankful part II

I'm thankful for the time I was able to spend with my sister, Arlene. In our growing up years, she and I were vastly different. Physically and more. She was ladylike and proper, I was …well, I was not. She was a flaming red head, I was freckle face tow head. She was helpful to my mother, I was..well, I wasn't really. In our teen years, she and I got closer, and by the time we were both out of school, we were fast friends. She had an apartment in Boise, and I loved going and spending a weekend with her, hanging out in the "Big Town of Boise" She helped me pick out my wedding dress…. plan my wedding …. she was one of my Bridesmaids. (My oldest sister was my Maid of Honor) And she was there when I lost my first daughter at birth. Neither of us knew how to handle it,….but we were together, along with my other sister. She was in the hospital when I delivered each of my other children and was always one of the first to hold them. She had the most beautiful babies of her own, and loved them fiercely til she took her last breath. I know she loves them still, and is watching over them, as she watches over my daughter in Heaven. I'm so Thankful for the times we had together, and that I have those cherished memories always.

I'm thankful for my oldest sister, Ardie, who selflessly does whatever needs to be done, and in so doing, took my sister Arlene into her home and cared and nurtured her through that very hard time. No one could have done it better, and we are all as thankful as possible to have this Angel in our family. She floats around making her perfection look easy. All families should have an Angel to take care of them, and I'm sure thankful I have one in my family.

I'm thankful for my brother, who though now, lives far away, let me hang out with him and his oh so cool friends when we were children. I suppose some brothers might have put a stop to it, but he didn't seem to mind, or maybe I just didn't let it phase me? Looking back, I realize that we all are lucky to be alive, and I do mean that literally. I remember rolling rocks down cliffs, just for the joy of seeing it roll and hearing the thunder. Of course, we probably just climbed up that face of rock, …. and had to climb down again. Yep, there was at least one broken leg, not mine…his. But we got him home..me and the Christiansen boys. He wore that cast, not us. I don't even remember the 'story' we must have told to explain it, but I'm sure it veered form the actual events of that day, to save the innocent. (not sure there were any) He managed to get me in trouble a few times, but he also protected me more than a few times. I miss him terribly …. and now that I'm missing a daughter, I realize how my own parents have lived with missing their own children.

I'm thankful for the Aunt and Uncle that took me in to their home over the years and taught me the love of horses and ranch life. I've never strayed far from it, ever. They helped teach me that everyone has to work hard, and then also play hard. No one is 'too good' for a job, right down to the littlest, dirtiest job, and you better never think you are too good. Those times I spent on their ranch are also some of my very most cherished memories, and they gave me a strong base in life itself. I learned a lot about life, and life and death and that both go together. Sometimes hard decisions have to be made, and it's just a fact of life. I'm thankful that when they decided to give me my very own first horse, my parents realized the magnitude of what this would mean to me. I can not for the life of me, imagine my life without horses to this date. It's inconceivable. Thank you Mom and Dad for that.

I'm so thankful for that first horse and the lessons she taught me. She was from the Juniper Mountains in Owyhee County. So, her name was Brandy Juniper. I don't actually remember where the "Brandy" came from….probably just cuz. I was so excited for our life to start together! She was a yearling, and she was not quite as excited for our life to begin together. So, one of my first lessons from her, was patience. patience…..and more patience….. I learned it, and it has been one of the greatest lessons in life. I also learned from her that all creatures want companionship, and to be loved. She and I formed a bond that I don't think I've ever really had with another horse. As a young girl, she was my EVERYTHING. She was always there, and ready to just stand listen to whatever I had to say and think about. My Dad and I built a barn, and yep, we built a bed in there for me. I slept often with that horse…. with her standing breathing her soft warm breath on my cheek into the night. Approximately 15 years later, I worked for my Aunt one summer, cowboying, and for that, she gave me 2 more horses. One was a 1/2 sister to Brandy, and one was not. I didn't keep the one that 'was not' for many years…. just never bonded with her. But the other, Mariah, yes, I had a great bond with her also…. possibly as strong as the first, but I don't know that that first Love of a Girl for her first horse can ever be matched. I've been lucky to have many great relationships with great horses…

cont…..