April 30, 2008
I saw some horses running in a field yesterday. It reminded me my last trip to the island of Kauai.
While I was there I went for an early morning run one day as the sun was rising.
It was a beautiful morning and the birds were singing the dawn’s praise with gusto.
The quiet road where I ran is alongside a vast field that is home to a number of magnificent horses and some very cute lambs.
As I started running, one of the horses, standing at the fence near the road, lifted its head and snorted a horsy greeting in my direction.
I said hello to the horse and continued running.
I heard her snorting again behind me.
I turned and looked over my shoulder as I ran and said, “Wanna run?”
The horse swatted some flies with her tail as she considered my offer.
“I’m talking to a horse,” I thought, as I quickened my pace. “I wonder if I’m losing my marbles.”
Behind me, the sun reached over the mountains and brushed its hand across the fields, turning the grass the richest green you can imagine.
I breathed deeply as I ran, inhaling the cool, fresh morning air.
Then I heard a noise behind me.
I turned.
Much to my surprise, the horse had galloped up and joined me on the other side of the fence.
I continued running.
So did the horse.
We ran.
And ran.
And ran together for almost half a mile. Then the field ended.
The horse stopped abruptly at the fence.
I know she was frustrated. I could hear her whinny slightly.
I stopped in honor of her plight.
She maintained her regal poise, looking longingly at me as I started to run again.
I know she wished that the fence did not exist.
So did I.
“Bye,” I said, softly.
She snorted.
“I enjoyed it too,” I said.
The horse lifted her head.
I raised my hand, acknowledging the connection.
I turned and ran toward the distant mountains, my heart overflowing with an exquisite sense of euphoria.
Friendship despite differences.
What a magnificent gift.
Posted by trevor at April 30, 2008 01:27 PM