And suddenly there is was, out in the open as if it had always been there. Unmistakable. I didn't approach it at first, I didn't want to scare it away. So I smiled instead and very quietly said, "hello". It turned to face me and stretched a question out between us, fragile as a spider's web and just as strong. "Would you?" the question asked and without meaning to I found I had taken a step toward it. I think I saw it smile.
"What do you love?" It asked me.
"People," I said. "And words and the ocean and skipping and horses."
"Horses," it repeated. "It's been a long time since you talked about horses."
"A very long time," I agreed.
"But you haven't forgotten?"
"No, never." I shook my head, grinning.
"So, horses then. There could be horses. What else?"
I could see all of the ideas spread out like a candy buffet at a summer wedding and for the first time in a long time, I reached out a hand toward them.
* I wrote this a few weeks ago. It feels like it belongs somewhere, like there is more of the story that I just haven't quite found yet. But at the same time it is so very much all about today because on Saturday I go for my training as a volunteer with the local equestrian therapy center. As of this Saturday there will be horses again. What then, I wonder? What next?
