Spring of change

A bright spring, crops rising from the fertile soil, woods filled with bluebells and wild garlic. It's a delightful time to be out.

Today rain showers alternated with watery sun, culminating in a bright evening of slanting gold. We rode, and the two horses were fresh in the fragrant post-downpour air. How that took me back to a summer afternoon in 1994 riding a borrowed horse through a Moldovan forest. His owner had told me that the big bay gelding came alive after rain when damp earth liberated the very essence of woodland. He wasn't exaggerating. This evening we tore along the margin of a field of burgeoning wheat, leaning hard to the left as we rounded a corner...

The two horses aren't even fit yet...we're looking forward to taking them further afield when they are. Riding brings out differences. I'm optimistic. Rebecca is concerned that we avoid risk. Unconsciously I take care, the legacy of almost a decade working as a trail guide. Quite rightly Rebecca is still learning to trust me. I might need a little correction. Sometimes I ride out a little too easily...complacently maybe?

I'm becoming conscious that my trail horse and I have shared ten years together. Brena and I know what to expect. We can ride almost anywhere predictably, the strengths of each covering the weaknesses of the other.

In a week we shall be married, Rebecca and I. Tomorrow we're off to a monastery for the weekend. We so badly need to depart the material world of preparations for a couple of days and delve into that which truly matters. (Longer than a weekend would be better.)

We're looking forward to awakening one morning knowing that no more preparations need to be made!

Comments

[Shirley Nicholas]

Those 10 years seem to have flown by! I remember you posting about going to get Brena.
Wishing you and Rebecca many blessings on your wedding day and throughout the coming years.

[WHP]

Thank you, Shirley. Recently someone told me that Brena and I behave a bit like a couple who have been married for a long time!