My Saturday World

I have always loved Saturdays. This morning was bright and sunny so I thought I'd hit the yard sales but quickly realized it's a little too early in the season for yard sales. There was only one in the neighborhood but it was well-signed so every time I slowed down to see what address was on a yard sale sign it was disappointingly the same one. My consolation was that my yard sale hunt took me near a Chick-fil-A and I am a huge fan of their new Spicy Chicken Biscuit.

The thing I love most about a Saturday is it's my volunteer morning. After my non-shopping trip I drove to the facility where I assist with an equine therapy program. My youngest son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism thirteen years ago and I wish that along with the diagnosis the doctor would have handed me a card for a facility that provided equine therapy. My son is now SUPER high-functioning thanks to various behavioral, speech and occupational therapists but I know if we had had a horse therapist my son and I both would have been much more calm through the recovery process.

There's nothing like a horse. With those huge eyes staring at you, he takes in all that you are outwardly and inwardly and if you're open, honest, kind, empathetic, you will find him the same, no matter what your needs are. I have seen so many special-needs children get on the back of a horse and be transformed, sometimes in a matter of minutes, sometimes instantaneously. Screaming children are silenced into unspoken rapture. Crying children are soon giggling and squealing happily. I've read about how the movement of the horse is so good for the child's balance and how riding is so good for the child's self-esteem but I've seen firsthand that it's just pure magic, like Superman ducking in and out of a phone booth. The transformation is inevitable and I get to watch every week.