A wild mustang named Batman and the people who touch his life

One of the wonderful parts of my job is that I am able to interview people who often inspire me. These interviews humble me. They make me feel honored, knowing that people entrust some of their story to me and allow me to share bits and pieces of it with others.

Recently I interviewed a U.S. Air Force Veteran and a stroke survivor who have found new hope through equines.

For those who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, working with horses – particularly mustangs – can be therapeutic. As Ron explained, the peace and the patience learned through working with a wild mustang can change a life. He is a testament to that.

He attributes his work with Batman, the featured mustang in my recent piece with WildHeart Mustangs, to his ability to be a better son, husband, father and grandfather. How huge is that? He said that where once he spent his days in virtual solitude, he now cherishes every minute with his family – and he wants to be around them again. There is such emotion and power to his story when I hear him tell it. It is so clear that not only is he being helped through his work with this mustang, but that he desires to help others find similar healing as well.

He was among the first veterans to work with Batman as the wild mustang set foot on BraveHearts soil. Each first – a hand feeding, a hoof in a hand, a first success in putting a saddle on – any of these accomplishments required dedication and commitment. Ron was determined to see this mustang through … and, as he did, he learned patience, commitment and awareness – which benefits him in all of his relationships. Being around the horses and learning to focus recharges him so that he can be more present in everyday situations.

The opening of a door, crowds of people or unexpected situations can easily startle wild mustangs. In a similar way, Ron said he shared the same anxieties. As he helped Batman acclimate to his new surroundings, Batman helped him acclimate to civilian life.

What a remarkable reciprocal effect!

Another inspirational woman who suffered a stroke ten years ago and continues to wrestle with the effects of that stroke works alongside Batman as well. She credits him with helping her regain more control of her arm and leg left weakened by the stroke.

Joan explained that she feels completely whole when she is with Batman and the other horses at the barn. She feels as though she can live in the moment when she is looking into their eyes and standing beside them or singing to them in a stall. Batman accepts who for who she is – and she accepts Batman for who he is.

Batman was just two when he came to BraveHearts Therapeutic and Educational Riding Center. The President and Chief Operating Officer picked him out of a group of young mustangs in Rock Springs, Wyoming, after the Checkerboard Roundup. He was chosen as much for his distinctive markings as for his long legs and substantial size – which would be beneficial in his future work with veterans and other adults.

Batman never ceases to live up to his name. In addition to his shiny black coat and his desire for goodness and kindness, he brings with him courage and mystery, Ron said.

When I see the great strides these men and women have made, I am inspired to overcome the little things that are hindrances in my life. When I see how far they have come, I feel that, in some smaller way, I can do the same … because they have lead by example. They have paved the way. And, despite their many victories, they live humbly ~ championing the cause of the underdog as well as the fighter.

These images were from a few years ago in dark lighting, when Batman was raw and untouched.

A U.S. veteran participating in Operation Mustang spent a long time waiting for this moment when Batman would eat from his hand.

This moment of bonding between Batman and another U.S. veteran in the round pen was exciting to capture.

An early image of Batman in the beginning of 2015

BraveHearts President and Chief Operating Officer initially picked Batman as much for his markings as for his substantial size.

Happy birthday to my husband!

Today I celebrate my husband – it’s his birthday!

We’ve known each other for 17 years. We’ve been married for 13 ½. We’ve made it through struggles, career changes, two children and a bit of life. We’ve grown stronger together as we continue to learn about one another.

My husband finally enjoyed the best Cubs win ever ... and his birthday was all the sweeter for it as he received some memorabilia.  

We met directly in-between our January birthdays. I was so young when we met. But, I remember those days fondly. He’s put up with me, cared for me and challenged me. He’s called me out if I needed it, and he’s encouraged me when he saw how much love I poured into a hobby that became my business.

I love how we fit together and how he has turned out to be the best father. I love how he plays girly things with our daughters. I love how he is so particular about his coffee. I love how he takes care of our garden. I love how he gets me gas so I don’t have to go out. I love how he takes over family videos … because I am terrible at them. {Ask me all day long to take pictures, but never ask me to do videos. Trust me.} I love that he took a risk and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.

Last night, my brother, sister-in-law, mom and dad came over for a Christmas/birthday celebration. It was so much fun. I love, love, love making food. I made bread, (almost like Panera) macaroni and cheese, a citrus salad and roasted Brussels sprouts. My sister-in-law and I made the dressings, too. She and my brother brought over scrumptious French desserts from this place. The croissants, tarts, brioche, pies and macaroons tasted just as wonderful as they looked! And they left the leftovers for us to enjoy!

Brussels sprouts with an olive oil, apple-cider vinegar, bacon and onion dressing.

Macaroni and cheese ... an incredible midwest comfort food staple.

Delicious pastries from Ambrosia.

More dessert-y goodness from Ambrosia.

Sharing a birthday month means we get a joint celebration. One of our gifts included loose-leaf tea, Colectivo Coffee and Sasha's dressing.  We've had Colectivo Coffee up in Milwaukee often and also at the Firehouse Depot in Harvard.

A dear friend had joined us for dinner the night before and brought some delicious pizza, good conversation and a few fun toys. The girls and John enjoyed putting together this project. We stuck in a can and enjoyed the robot bug buzzing around on our coffee table.

The girls got up early, made John breakfast in bed and then woke us up to the tune of Happy Birthday with the sweetest little girl voices ever. They built model planes out of wood and painted them for him, too!

A birthday breakfast in bed, complete with a painted card, peanut butter toast and a bowl of oatmeal with a side of fruit:) 

I am so blessed to call this man my husband. Happy birthday, love!

January is a great month for birthdays, dear! Wishing you a fabulous year number 47!

Christmas Light

I have several friends who have lost loved ones and for whom this season is not as joyful as it might be for others. Many of my homeschooling friends are mourning the loss of a sweet eleven-year-old girl who passed away the day before Christmas Eve. Though I do not know them personally, so very many of my close friends have grown up with her, taken care of her and watched her grow up. Her name? Faith.

She was a little girl of great faith, and so her name is fitting. Her family and her friends have been writing about how they find comfort in the knowledge that they will see her again.

Several of my friends mourn their mothers, some their wives, some their children.

And, yet, there is a Light. It might not shine as brightly, but it is there ~ the memories, the spirit of joy, the faith, the light … it lives on in those who are left behind.

We have been preparing for the birth of the infant Jesus. We have been traveling the road with Mary and Joseph. We have been opening our hearts to those in our family and those outside of our family. We have been seeking the Light. We see lights on houses, wrapped around branches and sitting on window ledges all across the continent.

Lights in our town.

Lights in the next town over.

On Christmas Eve my girls look forward to Mass, the lit candles and seeing baby Jesus lying in the manger. There is such an innocent wonder about that ~ an innocent and unwavering belief. It melts my heart that they get excited to put baby Jesus in our nativity on Christmas Eve. It is a great joy to light the white Christmas candle on our Advent wreath. But that joyous birth is intimately entwined with the crucifixion story, for, though this baby was born to teach us how to live, this baby also was born to die. As I think of so many friends and family who are hurting this day, I cannot help but think about the hope that Christmas brings.

There is a childlike innocence to faith. There is Light and there is happiness. As we get older, there is dirt along the road, the dust gets in our eyes. The Christmas story begins to be less about the joy and more about the painful road to the cross. Our faith may wane as we face trials. Our faith might suffer doubt.  We are in good company. Didn’t the Apostles have their doubts after the man who turned water into wine and who healed the sick and raised the dead allowed himself to die on the wood of the cross?

But the tomb was empty, and faith was stronger than doubt. 

This baby brings joy and happiness and light. 

The calm of Christmas Eve Mass.

The nativity story is integral to the crucifixion story ~ and, most importantly, the Resurrection story.

We are called to be the light for others as much as we are called *to* the light. Let your heart be still this day. Light a candle. Watch it flicker and feel the warmth radiate. God is close. He holds you near.

A neighborhood near my parents' home lights several hundred luminaries throughout their streets on Christmas Eve. What a beautiful way to work together to remind us that the Light is both physically and spiritually present. It doesn't matter where you are in this faith journey ... the light begs each and every passerby to stop and look at the wondrous undertaking. We stand in awe. And, for me, this light brings hope. 

Wishing you a blessed Christmas.

Our white candle for Christmas morning.

Speaking of the Light, my neighbor brought us this beautiful rose bouquet in the middle of the -6 degree (high for the day) weather. And a friend since childhood gave me these Lularoe leggings. There are candles and flames all over them! She was so thoughtful! They are perfect! I am so incredibly blessed by all of the many men, women and children who are a Light for me! 

I am so thankful for our neighbor who brought this gorgeous rose bouquet in the midst of subzero temperatures.

My friend was so thoughtful ~ she said she thought of me (obviously my Light posts), when she saw them!

Light, snow, confession

Light comes in different forms. Sometimes it burns brightly. Sometimes it is dim. Sometimes you can see it only with the help of the shadows. Sometimes you find your own light in the reflection of someone else’s.

As humans, we are full of fault. We make mistakes – we stretch ourselves too thin, we don’t make time for the things that matter and, as a result, it shows in the way we interact with those closest to us. Sometimes it shows in the way we look at ourselves.

I have a confession. Every Advent, we wrap up our semester the first week of December so that we can focus on baking cookies, making gifts, reading Christmas/Advent stories and just enjoying the time together.  This year I didn’t finish the semester on time. We still are reading stories and enjoying Advent, but school seems to be ever-looming overhead.

Still, we take the time to enjoy the little things.

These pictures are from the snowfall the other weekend.

Our Advent wreath, four candles lit, with the oil lamp we have added this year.

A family tradition: paper snowflakes ushering the new snow hang from our kitchen lighting.

My family getting ready to explore the woods after and during the snowfall.

The stream/river by our home.

On our way back from the woods.

The lovely bright berries on the snow-covered branches.

My youngest, making a snow angel ~ the joy of making things new again!

I was content with just shoveling our driveway and playing in our yard, but my husband wanted to go out exploring. We traipsed through the woods and looked at the wetland area with a completely new perspective.

I took the opportunity to talk with my children about the miraculous change: the fall brought beautiful, rustic colors, but when the leaves fell to the ground, the earth looked a little dirtier and the once glorious, lush branches then looked dull and barren. When God painted over the tress and brittle leaves with his impressive brush full of winter-white snow, the darkness was washed away. The blanket of white illuminates the world with a freshness that can only be obtained with that first snow.  It was beautiful and blessed.

As a Catholic, Confession does this for my soul. 

Spending time looking at our own faults is incredibly humbling. Reading an examination of conscience is sobering. Just when I think I might have a handle on life, I realize I still am so far away. Confession gives me the ability to recalibrate. My soul feels lighter the moment I walk out of the confessional. Saying the words out loud brings what once was hidden in darkness into the light.

At a recent event I photographed, a combat veteran whom I admire talked with me about unfathomable grace and the power of a strong prayer life. I admire this man in so many ways, but on those occasions where we start to have deep conversations of faith, he brings a light ~ that light both inspires me and reveals darkness. I am thankful for all of the many people who hold me accountable. I also am thankful when my soul feels fresh. I am thankful for the snow.