Faline - The Fairest Mare in the Barn

[SandyG]

Odd, isn't it, how your mind begins to ponder an action that you want to take and then life happens and you find yourself not only wanting but now needing to take that action.

I have been pondering the commitment to resume blogging. For years, I told the stories of THE FARM in a weekly blog and it truly worked magic - with many who read the blogs and with me. It was my therapy. My way of wondering, and reflecting, and celebrating, and crying, and questioning, and planning, and yes, even boasting. But then, as humans sometimes do, we burn out! We dry up. We run out of words and need to take time to regroup until our soul wants to talk again.

Very recently, I have found myself wanting to share. To tell the stories and share the antics. To teach the lessons and to ask the questions. And so today, life happened . . . or more accurately, death happened. And so, out of honest respect and love for the mare, I wrote a blog. It was my therapy and my letting go of the grief. The tears will continue for some time, as they always do. Even years from now, the tears will appear when we remember or speak of her. But for tonight, so I can close my eyes and attempt to sleep. For tonight, out of pure love for one of the strongest, I attempted to share my observations of one of our own.

If you have the time, please go to our website (refugefarms.org) and read The Current Blog. Read of the strength and solidness of the Shire Mare we named Faline - the fairest mare in the barn.

Good night, All.

[SandyG]

Oh, Sandy --

I am so very, very sorry about Faline. What an exceptional girl! And beautiful! Bless her heart and yours, too.

[SandyG]

Our exceptional mare is at rest - a small assembly is gathering on the west hill. First there is The Ole' Man on the south end of the tree line. Then next to The Ole' Man on his north, is the area reserved for the love of his life - our Josephina. And immediately to the north of Josephina's area is dear, steady Faline.

They all hurt but this one stings, too. She so enjoyed her life here! She so treasured feed, water, shelter, fans, and blankets - I only wish we could have spoiled her just a bit longer. But as one told me today, "remember the lesson of your Faline and be grateful for the gifts you have already been given." Great advice. And solid Faline wisdom.

[penelope]

Dear Sandy,

I am so sorry to hear about Faline's passing. I just read the blog and I'm glad you included a picture of her. I'd never seen one of her before. She was just gorgeous.

With heartfelt gratitude for what you do and bear, I thank you.

Penelope

[SandyG]

Sandy -

I just saw your email about Miss Faline. Amanda and I shed some tears of her passing and remember her fondly. She was so thin and dejected when we picked her up, but she loaded into my trailer like a star, and eventually took a treat from my hand. It took her a bit to figure out what to do with it, but she humbled me and ate it. She was a gentle giant with beautiful soulful eyes. Thank you for giving her a chance to know love and peace before leaving this world. She will be missed by us.

Keep your chin up. Give hugs to my girl, Gracie.

Auntie Trish

[SandyG]

Sweet Faline!

[SandyG]

Of all things, Gracie wandered into Faline's tie stall this morning.

I have left Faline's tie stall gate open all week. Out of respect for that fine mare, I let the horses decide if and when anyone would venture in and begin to use her space. No one ventured in - not even to check for kibbles and if you know Clyde Mare, you know the power of what I am saying! That mare would fight a lion for a few kibbles of feed! She shows me every day that at some point she was without sufficient food. At one point in her life, she was very, very hungry.

So Faline's stall stood quiet . . . . gate open, feeding hanging on the wall . . . . just sitting there. . . . for a full week. But this morning, after a proper time of mourning, our little Gracie walked into her stall, called out, and then put her nose in Faline's feeder. I fed her there and closed the gate. One very large, fair, solid mare invited and turned over her space to another very small, fair, solid fighter of a mare . . . . Just as it should be.