Care Package

Today, Nathaniel & I got a wonderful care package in the mail from one of my very dear friends, Shannon.

Shannon & I met at way back in college.  On the first day of classes or orientation (I can’t remember exactly), Shannon came & sat down next to me & remembered who I was from summer orientation.  We were both horse crazy.  I’m sure I had on one of my “signature” horse t-shirts 😉  Sometimes it pays to dress like a dork… lol…

Anyway, that was the beginning of a great friendship that has lasted through the years.  Shannon was my partner in crime when I fell in love with Tiny, my breaking & training project.   The idea was that we tran the horse through the semester and then the horses would be sold at auction.  Well, on the outside T had nice conformation and was a pretty mover, but she was a sorrel with no chrome and she was small.  After I started working with her, I realized that she was one special little filly… super smart, super athletic and well, let’s just say… I fell in love.  Part of me was afraid she’d end up in bad hands.  On the outside she didn’t scream show horse- she wasn’t tall, she wasn’t flashy.  And… like I said, I had fallen in love.

Shannon knew about Tiny and told me that I didn’t need another horse.  Here I was, a senior in college with no job lined up.  She was right… no need for another horse at that point in my life.  Shannon being the good friend & excellent photographer that she is, volunteered to take some pics of T for the poster that I had to put together for the sale.  Shannon met Tiny & within 30 seconds her tune had changed to, “we’ve got to find a way to get you this horse!”

To make a long story short… T & her “foal” are standing out in my field right now… thanks in large part to Shannon.  Even with T’s lack of chrome & lack of height, she was pretty successful at local shows… I think every time we showed she came home with at least one blue.  I even learned to ride western with Tiny & now prefer western to english on most days.  Tiny also was a pretty good little trail horse and carried me through a lot of places that other horses would have said, “Hell NO!!!” to.  Like when we got lost in Gunpowder and ended up on people trails that weren’t meant for horses with big boulders!

Shannon is one of those wonderful people that you have a great friendship with, even though we’re physically 1000 miles away.  I was honored when Shannon came to our wedding and John, Dave, and the two of us had a great time in DC when Shannon’s egg won for the state of IA!  She even got to shake Laura Bush’s hand.

Shannon & I talk a good bit on the phone and she has been so supportive through John’s illness and afterwards.  She had told me she was sending a care package and it arrived today.  Silly Nathaniel was a little confused… he thought it was a step & not a package.

Shannon sent a very thoughtful care package… some adorable outfits for the little mister- including his VERY FIRST Iowa State shirt!  Although Mommy’s not too sure that she could cope with him leaving her alone & going halfway across the country.  But that’s many years from now!

Shannon sent three very thoughtful cards that made me smile.  Nathaniel even got a card with BIRDS on it (Nathaniel loves to point out birds).  She also sent the book, Make Way for Ducklings.   Which made me think of John’s rescue of the ducklings from the storm drain 🙂  I can’t remember if I told her how I’m having problems getting Nathaniel to take a bath– he fell in the tub a few baths ago & is now terrified.  It’s so frustrating because I know if John were here & able to help we’d get him over his fear in no time.  But with just me it’s all I can do to keep him in the tub & get him somewhat clean.  I’m hoping his new bath toy will help!  She also got him a snack catcher which is supposed to let him get finger foods without spilling them all over!  Hope it works.  The less messes, the better!  I’ve noticed that now things don’t get done unless I do them… funny how that happens.  John was by far the better housekeeper of the two of us.  I’m barely domesticated… lol…

Shannon also sent some coupons & kitty treats & candy canes for the horses.   She sent some snacks, perfume, lotion, & DVDs.  And… a stablemates Breyer horse.  I had to call her to see who it’s for… she told me that the Little Mr. & I would have to work that out among the two of us.  Hmmm… who do you think will end up with a little grey horse?

I can’t thank Shannon enough for her package.  It just meant so much to me and it really came from the heart!