What Is Wrong with Some People???

When something disturbing happens, I like to sleep on it. It gives me a little distance from my immediate flood of emotions.  As most of you know, I have been spending time and effort helping the amazing people and horses at Blue Star Equiculture, a draft and working horse sanctuary that is an hour and a half from my home.  It’s a bit of a drive, but I make it up there as often as I can.  I am so moved and encouraged by the love, kindness and care that everyone at Blue Star shows to the horses and the humans.  It is a rare and cherished place. They are determined to continue to grow and bloom, and whatever I can do to help them, I will try. 

In the past couple of months, in the wake of a terrible tragedy where Paul Moshimer took his life, Pamela has been almost super-human in the strength and wisdom she has shown dealing with her grief and with running a very busy, ever changing non-profit organization, along with taking care of the horses that are fortunate enough to live at the sanctuary.  Many wonderful, unexpected gifts have occurred – the students in the draft horse classes from U. Mass agricultural school have stepped up and brilliantly joined in to plant, plow and maintain the routines in the barn and on the farm.  

Yet, recently, some people whom I have never met but have had associations with Blue Star, have been using social media to question the way that the non-profit is being run and personally attack Pamela.  These self-righteous, judgmental, ego-driven diatribes are of course not uncommon on Facebook and in the animal rescue community, but nonetheless, they are devastatingly cruel and unwarranted. Yesterday, I witnessed such an assault while I was trying to help Pamela with some fund-raising projects, and it staggered me.  Why? Why would anyone try to destroy all the good and the hope that is the inspiration happening here?

I watched the kids respond by standing strong with Pamela, moving forward with a big project that is happening today, defending once again with serious commitment what they believe in. These are young people who work so hard, care passionately about the horses, each other, their elders and Mother Earth. They don’t bury their heads in video games and on-line distractions. They are never mean or bullying or exclude anyone.  So when they face the groundless accusations of adults who claim they were once friends but are demonstrating this abhorrent, disrespectful behavior during a time of mourning and financial stress, they rise up and demand a better world than the one that we “grown ups” have created here.

I can’t afford to give as much as I’d like to, but I give.  I join the herd. I find a way to support what Pamela, Blue Star and these remarkable young people create and nurture each day.  They give so much of themselves, during a time when greed, corruption, and selfish personal gain are running rampant in our society.  This is a place to be celebrated, not torn apart. 

Please find it in your hearts to contribute to what Blue Star is doing in any way that you can.  Choose hope. Choose love.   http://www.equiculture.org/donations.aspx