Millarville, Alberta
When older folks gather, health concerns often dominate the conversation. Aches and pains are a reality at a certain age, so it is natural to mention which joint hurts, or to discuss lab results with our peers. The pain is real, why not tell someone who cares?
But, discussing health issues with friends, neighbours, and family doesn’t relieve the pain, it only spreads the suffering further. Talk to your doctor about your maladies, but send positive messages to those around you. Your pain will not diminish, but theirs might.
I recommend telling stories instead.
Chatting with friends at the coffee shop:
My neighbour asked me to help bury her miniature horse. Jo said that the Vet was coming by to euthanize the old mare and she wanted to inter it in her back pasture.
There is a backhoe attachment on my tractor, and I have provided similar services in the past, so I said that I would help her out. I dug a deep hole by the back fence and told Jo I would come back to cover it when the deed was done.
That was three months ago. By the time the Vet arrived the horse was doing much better, so they decided to postpone. The pardoned horse is still grazing around its empty grave.
Friend: Don’t tell your wife there is an unused grave nearby.
Me: If she starts asking how to use the backhoe, I will take it seriously.
Any aches and pains we had momentarily disappeared. No medicine, no doctor’s appointment, just a story about an unused grave and …
… a Pardoned Horse
Fancy (far left) and her friends, alive and well and living near Millarville.
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Judy Darvill
Sometimes you just need a little motivation to pull up your boot straps and carry on! Way to go Fancy!
Russ Paton
Yup. Fancy, the wonder horse.