Friday, April 29, 2011

Birthday Princess


I woke up at one in the morning and realized that I had forgotten yesterday was Silk’s birthday. I felt so bad I almost got out of bed and ran out to the barn in the darkness. I’ve got a lot of excuses, like I had an important meeting and I got caught driving in a scary thunderstorm, but who cares. What was important was that Silk entered her 23rd year in this world, and I was so wrapped up in other things that I missed it. That’s a big sign to me that I need to slow down and pay more attention to my horses.

I was already feeling guilty about Siete. She lets me know that she wants me to do more with her, and I just haven’t had time. When I come out to the pasture, she follows me around trying to play like a puppy. I’ve been battling the mud and digging out the drainage ditch so much this week that I haven’t focused on the girls at all.

So, today is gorgeous. I apologized to Silk this morning and she let me know that she won’t care that she’s getting her special fruit salad a day late. It’s been a birthday ritual, along with a carrot cake that I always make for her two-legged family and friends, for the past 13 years. When my daughter was young, some of these horse birthday parties got pretty elaborate and we all have fond memories of them. One time, one little boy who was invited had been “grounded” by his mom. When she heard about what we were planning to do, she made a special exception for the event. “How many times in his life is going to be invited to a horse’s birthday party?” she told me. I was so glad that he came because it turned out that he had never been on a farm in his life. He still remembers it ten years later.

I’m going to stop wasting any more time berating myself or reminiscing. Got to go out with the birthday girl now and celebrate! After all, she is my favorite horse in the whole world.

Happy Birthday Silk- you look so stylish in your leopard skin fly mask.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to a very pretty mare!

Grey Horse Matters said...

Happy Birthday to one very very special mare. Silk you are one of the best horses I know and you are gorgeous in your new fly mask. Dusty has one too, but we won't tell her how stunning you look in yours. Have a wonderful 23rd year pretty girl.

detroit dog said...

Wonderful post. Happy Birthday to Silk! She is a lucky horse, and you are a lucky girl!

Calm, Forward, Straight said...

Very very stylish birthday girl! Happy belated - enjoy the fruit salad and carrot cake (!)

Lori Skoog said...

Birthday greetings Silk. I hope you, your Mom and daughter are enjoying the festivities. And nice weather to boot.

billie said...

Happy birthday to Silk! I hope she has many, many more.

Wolfie said...

Happy birthday, Silk!!

Deejbrown said...

Happy birthday, Silk! May you have many more years of health, happiness and joy with your Victoria!

Esther Garvi said...

23 is quite an age! Impressive Silk! I hope Arwen is as fine as you at her age! Happy birthday girl and here's lots of equine cuddles from the girls of Ishtar's Ark!

Máire said...

Happy birthday to Silk. You are so right, it is too easy to get caught up in busyness and forget to spend tjat essential time hanging out with our horses.