Perfectly placed people

Coincidences Perfectly placed people

About a month ago, our community lost an inspirational woman.

The following weekend, a friend of mine set up an informal coffee to reminisce about this woman’s wide-reaching impact.

I stopped by to say hello and to offer my condolences and, in doing so, I met my friend’s friend Kathleen.

Before we knew it, Kathleen and I quickly had bonded over horses – my love of photographing them and her love of riding them. Furthermore, I learned that Kathleen’s sister Karen owned a local farm – a family-run farm, and, as perfectly placed people do, we talked a little more and I discovered that Marmont Farm was having their 10-year anniversary this year.

An article was begging to be written, and the editor of our local paper let me write the story on Marmont Farm and Karen. Find it here!

Two weeks later, I set foot on the grounds at Marmont Farm, and I instantly felt something a little magical.

I met Karen for the first time – a modest woman with a big heart. She showed me her arena where a group of women carriage drivers were practicing for their upcoming season. I spent some time conversing with these women – each of whom spoke very highly of the barn as well as the owner.

Karen then took me to the stables – and the gorgeous horses she owns and boards there.

As she spoke about the horses – one, a mare with whom she once stayed up all night as she birthed her foal (a moment she said she’d never forget) – her love for the animals was palpable. She said she gets up every day to take care of the horses – and she does it herself. She feeds them, cleans the stalls, sets them out to pasture, works them and brings them back to this peaceful place tucked away in rural Woodstock.

As Karen spoke, it was clear that her life’s passion was horses, but her kindness also extended toward people in a deeper sense as well.

Horse people sometimes may appear withdrawn, but usually it is because they are so in-tune with their horses; they are contemplative and intuitive – because they have to be. Karen is no exception. She knows her horses inside and out, but she uses that same intuition when choosing friends ~ and those friendships at the barn carry over into her personal life. Marmont Farm isn’t just her business; it is her family.

My takeaway? The things we are passionate about in life tell a lot about who we are. I’m blessed in my job to be able to meet a wide variety of people. Their passions may not always align with mine, but their deep-rooted commitment – no matter what the passion – usually is to make a difference in the lives of others. And it is that commitment which draws me towards them.