Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Somewhere, over the rainbow

Forgive me friends this will be a melancholy post .
I have been in a state of the blues today , couldn't really think why, but on the edge of tears and just ,well plain old sad. I thought , well the is stuff going on at work that is irritating and frankly stupid, but that ,while it  doesn't help isn't usually enough to get me down. After all I work to live , not live to work so...


Then I thought maybe it is the fact hat hubby is away, and it sure is part of it I miss him and the longer this job goes the longer his 2 weeks out feels ,and the shorter the 1 week home.But again , that is life and I am pretty used to it .
 Then I saw a post from a friend of mine , Janice at Own a Morgan and well frankly I panicked! I had a feeling what the post was about and for the whole day I avoided reading it Her beloved Gelding Texas has passed away at 34yrs old. I shouldn't be sad he lived a long and wonderful life in her care, but I so know the empty feeling they leave  whether they have been with 3 yrs or 30 ,horse lovers know it doesn't take long for them to become part of you .
That coupled with the senseless loss Of Toffee ,my friend Sarah's horse (Heartsick) and hearing from my Sister in law about a foaling  gone horribly wrong for them which resulted in them euthanizing  both the mare and foal , I am just hurting for  those I care about .  The foaling , was one of those things, they were there they tried , and did their very best as did their vet , but sometimes the outcome is just not good in spite of everyone's best efforts.
Any of us who love animals , cats, dogs ,birds , horses,etc know going it that they will not be with us forever, but it still never prepares you for the wrenching  pain their leaving brings . Call me a bleeding heart if you want  I somehow feel at least some of  the feeling of loss each of those folk are suffering.

Reminders of loves of my own who have left their mark in my heart. 
So while you may have read this before , please bear with me as I share it again , in love and support to those who are hurting , and to remind them they were as much a blessing to their horses as the horses were to them. And  may we all meet again someday , somewhere ,just over the Rainbow Bridge


Made of Horses

For my entire life it seems
Horse have been in my dreams
In my life and in my space
A feeling that you can’t replace

The Grace and beauty that they share
Cannot be found, just anywhere


They are a thing second to none
To let them go leaves me undone
And heartbroken tears I will cry
When all to soon they say goodbye

Each takes a piece of my own heart
When the sad time comes to part

But leaves behind no empty space
Just glowing memories in their place

I watch them grow and watch them dance
And know that it was worth the chance
No rage against natures forces
It has left my heart
Made of Horses 

Stay safe my friends

16 comments:

Shirley said...

Such a beautiful post Sherry and it echoes the sentiments of most of us in your circle of friends. It is always tough to part with our beloved critters, be it a cat or a horse, it doesn't matter if we love them.
Hope you get over your blues, and here's a (((hug))) for you.

Reddunappy said...

Awe Sherry, I know how you feel ((hugs))
I felt like that when my sis in laws horse had to be put down. Why that one touched me so hard, I dont know, except I know what he meant to her.

Go get some horse time girl.
Ask that boy or yours to dance!!!
That will make you smile!!!!

Crystal said...

What an excellent poem and it does hurt when they leave this world. Hope you get over the blues soon too.

WishIHadAHorsey said...

Beautiful poem. Hugs and more hugs.

Jeni said...

{{{hugs}}} You are a kind soul.

Janice said...

Loved the poem...I feel for the others you mentioned. I might have found it easier if Tex had just passed away on his own,it was my decision to euthanize him ..my head tells me it was the right thing ...but my heart will always believe it was not.I'm sorry I added to your sorrows but your kind words helped...you are a good friend. I now have a mental pic of Tex running with the spotted ponies..tail flagged and mane blowing in the wind Thank You.

Anonymous said...

Sad and beautiful at the same time - I very much appreciate that you are willing to share your deep feelings with us like this.

GoLightly said...

You are made of love, girl. Hugs, and hoping things brighten.

I am so sorry for the losses you mentioned, it's never easy, is it..

RoeH said...

We all are knowing what you feel like. I cringe when I think about all the animals I have had that have died. I hope we get them all back someday. Hugs.

Cut-N-Jump said...

Losing an animal is never easy. The only thing I can say to possibly ease the pain is this.

One of the great cowboys, horsemen, riders, jumpers, or _______ of all time must have needed a damn good horse. You sent them the best of your herd. They will be well mounted until you join them and can step into the stirrup and take over the reins again.

Every year at foaling time I dread what is to come. Losing a foal is not easy, but losing a mare can be devestating. Losing both- there is just no words....

Margaret said...

...I read several of your posts... beautiful babies... too that crazy shooting and this beautiful poem. Emotions running high, yes. Understandable!

kden said...

We love you because you are a bleeding heart ♥ This world needs more people like you who care about animals. Our sweet dog will be 12 this fall. I can't bear to think what it will be like when she's gone.

aurora said...

Beautiful poem & thoughts! Hoping your reflection makes you feel better.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

thanks so much all of you . Janice you did not add to my pain my friend, I just hurt for you I do that .Aurora, yes the reflection and sharing does help, funny sometimes we just have to share how we feel to feel it and feel better

kestrel said...

They are fireflies, here for such a short time, and brighten our world so much. Hugs to all the brave people who love them.

Nicole said...

I hope today is a better day and I like the poem!