Thankful For All The Things

So many things to be grateful for. Its hard to even know where to begin.

Last year, the biggest thing I was thankful for was walking, being alive, and being back on a horse. After not being able to walk for a while and the knowledge that had one little thing been different in my accident, I wouldn't be alive right now, the little things that you take for granted start becoming the big things very quickly.

The first day I was back on a horse was one of the best days of my life. I cried at how happy I was. I was incredibly thankful for the best baby horse around and the ability of my body to heal itself so I could be riding again. But aside from that, I was so so thankful for all of the little things in my life, like walking and breathing.

This year with the memory of not being able to walk being a little more in the back of my mind, I am able to broaden a bit of the things I am thankful for:

My Family

My family is incredibly supportive of what I do and they have been for many years. Even going back to me being an obnoxious 10 year old who still wanted to go to her lesson every week even when it is in the low teens temperatures and snow on the ground. I would not be anywhere without the unconditional love and support they give me

Great Friends

You wouldn't know it by looking at us now, but the two girls riding these two ponies in this picture, used to hate each other. Vehemently. But now she has become honestly my best friend. We have found out that we are more similar to each other than seems possible. We both are huge fans of Marvel movies, anything and everything Harry Potter. We are huge horse people (duh!). We both have a protective and fierce love for the old man Pancho (front horse in the picture). We even eat the same foods. Have the same opinions and situations in relationships. The list goes on.

We do everything together

Together, we push each other, but since we are so similar, we also are very aware of each other's boundaries and breaking points. And we know when to simply encourage rather than critique. Having a riding buddy and friend as good as this, doesn't come along very often, so you tend to be very grateful for it when it does come along.

Then there would be my animals:

Arrow

So first is Arrow. He was the first dog that was really "mine" we had a few other dogs before him, but they were either my dad's or just general family dogs. We picked Arrow up when he was 5 weeks and 3 days old (his breeder was forcing getting rid of them, we didn't really want to separate him that early, but it wasn't our choice). Due to his unusual coloring for his breed (dachshund), a lot of people wanted him, but we got him and I couldn't be happier. He is 110% a lap dog. He would sit on your legs all day every day if he could. And if you are sad, there is nothing in the world he wants more than to put a smile on your face again

Chili

Then we got Chili to be Arrow's "brother" a year later. He is also a dachshund, but he fits the stereotype a lot more. He loves to chase anything that moves, whether its a squirrel, a leaf or his ball. He definitely will not fail to make you laugh. He is a complete goofball and runs around like a crazy man half the time, but we love him, and so does Arrow (although there is typical sibling rivalry between them)

Okay, and then of course, the star of the show:

My Lucky Charm

Charmer came into my life with me under the impression he would probably take me some places but probably eventually be a resale horse. Little did I know. He has been such a rock for me. I laugh with him and he lets me cry into his mane. He allows me to feel free and happy more than anything or anyone else can do. So he would be what I am probably most thankful for this year. In those moments where I have doubted everything, including whether or not I could actually continue riding, he has been there and helped me through even the toughest decisions. I do not know what the future holds, but the one thing I know, is that this horse will be a part of it, one way or another.

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!