This old post is about an event that happened nearly exactly six years ago. Yesterday was the first 12-29 that I have gone to court on since then. Turns out that it would have been best not to have gone. There is no symbolism in this post. What I describe is precisely what happened.
I am not as good at showing little boys how to ride as I am with little girls. With little boys who don't try hard enough I never say it out loud but I constantly wonder why Lido could use his severely disabled body to get a job done, but strong, healthy boys can't. When I look at the very accurate comments about Lido that were written by a some program participants I wish all of the participants in our program would be as selfless as he was.
He worked hard to bring people together.
And This is How He said Good Bye
Yesterday morning the sun was shining very brightly and the wind was howling. It was exactly the kind of weather that causes deer to get in the tightest cover they can and stay there until the weather changes or night time falls. I was alone in the pasture waiting for my little riders to come and cheer me up. There was a commotion in the pasture beside me. I looked up and saw, coming from the area where Lido died, a very large buck who, along with two does hopped into the pasture and frolicked along in front of the horses.
The herd of mares fell in behind the buck and they trotted down the fence line behind the buck who also just calmly trotted along. He stopped , looked at me and turned in a profile. Then he lowered his head and began to move towards me just like I have seen so many wild horses do in the round pen when they decide to accept you as a herd mate. I was still quite a distance (maybe 50 yards) from him when he stopped and stared at me. We just stood there looking at each other for perhaps thirty seconds. Finally he turned and he and his does hopped effortlessly over the fence.
I walked over to the spot where they disappeared into the cut over to take a look at the big buck's hoof print. It seemed odd, but I could only find one track in the bare, moist, sandy soil. I looked around the area for a few more moments and started to walk to the tack shed. As I picked my head up I noticed the herd. They were standing on full alert, ears up, nostrils open, backs hollow and looking at me in pure terror. Rolling Thunder snorted and the herd bolted, but only for a short distance before turning to look at me again.
For the next moment or two my herd of warm, loving mares stared at me as if I were something that they could not understand. They stood as if to have seen a Thunder Being.
Now I am just a plain old Methodist Sunday school teacher who is not given to any New Age practices or beliefs. If others hold such belief I respect their views, but I do not share those views. I realize that my ability to understand that which needs understanding is limited indeed. I do not understand life. How could I possibly understand death?
But I do know what I saw. I do know what I believe. I did know Lido and I know that he would have done everything possible, or even impossible to tell me good bye.
(The picture above is of Lido riding in the 2006 Christmas Parade on the fourth horse from the lead)
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3 comments:
A few years ago when I first met Lido he was walking across the field with a shotgun in his hands. I was a new rider at Steve's and, in this day and age, anyone welding a gun may be cause for concern so I was a little concerned. Steve introduced us and that was the beginning of what I like to think of as my having a buddy out at the horse lot. I was always glad to see Lido. He always said Hi to me, was never bossy but always respectful, good natured, and had a gentle wit. He was always eager to please and helpful while mindless of his own comfort.
One day some four-legged critter I was on, I think it was Nick but I can't remember for sure, needed help going in the right direction. Lido took hold of him and led him along the fence going in the direction we needed to go mindless of the ankle-deep mud he walked through. I told him I was concerned about him walking through all the mud in his shoes and he kept on going until we were well on our way. He went above and beyond and was proud of it.
That was Lido. He was a doer. He was an Edwards. I am thankful I had the pleasure of knowing him. His young light was too quickly put out. In remembering Lido I remember how enriching each person is who touches my life. Thank you, Lido, for being you. Debby H
for the unique, personable, smiling, "courageous" young sportsman that he was so well known and loved for.
"Miss you Boy"
Miss Terry"