RockMan - a Star, a Rock, and a Remarkable Example of Grace!

[SandyG]

Emailed Thursday, 12/11/2014 evening:

Our dear friend, Trish, is helping RockMan cross over this evening. Her heart is breaking and she loves him so! But his body is tired and he is ready to move over and so she will help him.

Please say a prayer of thanksgiving for Trish and a prayer of joy for RockMan! What a treasure he is! And what a joy to have been in his life for a little while. And also a prayer of gratitude to Cathy who would NOT let his previous owner put him down! She fought for him and he arrived here to grace us with his quirks and his drive.

A prayer for these precious ones tonight, if you will.



I'll be praying for all of you and the herd. Could you send a pic of RockMan?
Friendship & praying, Barb F.

Please pass along our prayers and thanks for Trish--she is truly an angel! Jen T.

So glad I got to see him recently with his 2 adoring horses. A prayer for Trish, RockMan, and you!
Lavonne S.

Please bless RockMan, Trish, Gracie, and Sandy.
Linda J.

Love You, Love Trish and Love Cathy. Most of all RockMan will be okay: We know that! I am in tears because I knew him just a wisp and he touched me, too.
Sandy M.

So well deserved. So hard to do, I'm sure Trish is in great mourning as will Gracie be without her RockMan!
Sympathy for all of you. He was a rock. Marti R.

I know she (Trish) is broken and loves him so. She has done so much. Cathi W.

God bless Trish and keep Gracie in his care. This will be tough on that poor little girl. No matter if they have two legs or four, it is so hard when loved ones leave us, even when it is their choice and there is a better place to go. Know that all of you are in my thoughts. RockMan was AWESOME and so lucky to have been able to munch grass in the yard at Refuge Farms. Thinking of you and sending hugs. Robyn F.

I just read the bb postings about RockMan – I’m sorry to hear about that … he was a cool old man! I’m thinking of you and Trish and Gracie – Colleen B.

[SandyG]

Sometimes these email responses help open the grief door so you can begin the process. I just let them accumulate and then, when I have the strength, I open them and absorb them. I'm hoping they do the same for all of you, too.


Personally, I am honored to have provided a haven for this soul. His character and his light was constant - RockMan NEVER had a bad day. He brought me a smile even when I was angry or sad or in a hurry - he slowed me down and reminded me that these creatures in my barns were more important than anything any human could do or say or threaten.


He helped ClydeMare adadpt to us by just showing her how to graze in the yard. He allowed countless children to brush him and hug him. And he took me down the highway quite a few times as I brought him home from his tours of the community!


But more than any of these things, I looked to RockMan and saw how to age gracefully and with spirit and humor. No fear and no anger - the acceptance of time passing and the wisdoms gained. A grand teacher in such a short amount of time

[SandyG]

Reverence for RockMan is being created and will be published as soon as completed.

Just as he taught us, the passing of time is inevitable. It is the joy we create while it passes that matters!

My personal promise to The Old Man was to enjoy my days and remember his energy and his humor as I do the most ordinary things - playing with the hose as the tank fills, pushing the buckets while the feed is being delivered, and dragging the little woman on the other end of the lead rope as we walked down the driveway.

So, enjoy your day today and smile as you remember this very special Minister. A formal tribute to RockMan is being created and will be in front of you as soon as it is ready.

[SandyG]

For those of you who are emailing and asking after Gracie, I'm sure she is just fine.

That relationship between RockMan and Gracie was not built upon Gracie's need for RockMan. Instead it was built upon RockMan's need and love of Gracie. They grew to truly care for each other but Gracie was always the more independent one of the two. Gracie did not "lose" RockMan - she purposely walked away to rest or for some alone time. RockMan on the other hand, would lose Gracie and panic. She was his rock and he was our rock.

In addition to this style of relationship, I have no doubt that Trish is absolutely spoiling Gracie rotten! We'll see if we will be able to even lead her with a lead rope when she returns! I am already anticipating the Queen Gracie returning home in the spring!

Thank you for your inquiries as to the status of little Gracie. She might be small but she is a mighty, mighty one!