over the past few months, i have been given an opportunity to learn something new. something i have been hoping to learn ever since we moved here, to western south dakota, to the west, to rangeland and ranch country. i have wished to learn to ride a horse.
and, along with a just-what-my-heart-needed friendship, i have been given that chance. the chance to feed and brush and saddle and bridle and lead and ride, to walk and trot and lope, to be out under sky and over meadow, up hill and down draw, even to cross a creek. the chance to feel like i have no rhythm at all, and to start to feel the rhythm of riding, to be sore from using muscles in new ways, and to ride again and find the length for stirrups and the spot to sit the saddle so that i feel just fine and more than just fine after the ride. i have gone for short rides and long and longer rides. i have ridden a variety of horses. and i have helped move and sort cattle just a couple times now, too.
every time i ride, i learn something new, i see something new, i find joy and a sort of freedom. and what a long list of gratitudes has sprung from the simple question, "would you ever teach me to ride?" and the no-pause answer, "yes."
if there is something you would like to learn, ask the question, friends. and if you are in the position to do the teaching, do. i am so very glad i asked. and i am so very, very glad robyn said yes.
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playing along with michelle's gratitude week. join in if you like.