My part of their journey was over and I was
passing the baton to Connie. It was time for
them to fly and grow and feel love from her.
Bittersweet is an understatement, with all the
nights we spent with headlights on, pulling
them up as their frail bodies wanted to give
up, volunteers helping day and night, getting
their heads together and their bodies, moving
toward the moment when we could hug them
and they would hug back, it was a journey,
one I will never forget, nor will anyone who
has been along for this wild ride since day one.
Willow and Jules now live in my home state
of Iowa, where rainbows bend over their pic-
turesque red barn and green grass blows gen-
tly in the wind. Where the wind is explained,
nickers are loud and proud, and hearts are still
being healed. Most of all, horses found their
heads, their hearts, and peace on this path
from our barn to hers. For that, we are forev-
er grateful.
Our work here is daily and endless, but
worth it. This past spring we gathered togeth-
er and made prayer ties to honor the ones who
had died. Their bones are under an old oak
tree here at our ranch. Children, volunteers,
and neighbors joined us to honor the little
souls who lost the fight but died here in love.
There is a swing in the tree now and I often
find myself sitting in the morning and just
swinging. I swing for them; I swing for me,
always with a view of a herd that made it.
Since their deaths in September of 2011,
every September yellow wild flowers spring up
under the old oak tree where they are laid to
rest and make a run to the little mountain and
over the hills here.
I like to think it is the babies running free.
This year I will swing in yellow wildflowers
and remember them all, like I will every year
and for the rest of my life.
Much love goes to Joanna Barnett, Georgia
Waller and Carla Lowry who were my
strength, help, and always had my back. From
day one they came and helped me with the
herd. Both are amazing women whom I
couldn’t have done this without.
To date we have found homes for all but six
of the 19 horses.
Jules is named after a dear friend, Juliana
Johnson, whose spirit and love of life is a
blessed gift to the herd.
To learn more about the horses at Firelight
South Ranch or to adopt /sponsor one of our
beautiful
horses
in
need,
email
[email protected] or visit our
Facebook page: Firelight South Ranch.
Rachael’s fine art photography can
be found at: RachaelWallerPhotography.
smugmug.com and at Kiowa Gallery in
Alpine Texas. All proceeds from sales go to
the horses in need at her ranch.
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Please stop in for FREE SAMPLES
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Great handmade gourmet gifts!
Visit us on the web: www.allpecans.com
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800-895-2101 • 432-426-2101
[email protected]
Cenizo
Fourth Quarter 2013
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