The old One....

A Facebook friend of mine posted this story. We don't know who the Writer is but it is a beautiful story. Read it all and pass it on to those that need encouragement at this time.

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre- Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.
The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.
Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"

The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of new boots.
His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.

The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".

In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.

And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand.

The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.

Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.

Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.
At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new year’s crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife.

Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---
Because of love. Only Because of love.

Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And again the peace of love filled their hearts.

Day three - Got to love Zumba

Three days in a row! I went three days in a row to the Gym! I am very proud of myself. It is time consuming though. I have to better organize my days to also get some work done.
But right now it exhausts me. People always told me how energized they were after some work out. Not me, I am flat out tired and need a while to recover and also to get myself presentable again to the public eye. Talk about a bad hair day after sweating like a pig!!!
So today I signed up for Zumba. After being a bit reluctant to all this booty shaking I have to say, I really liked it. I had trouble following the steps, but I hope no one cared. Except me of course. I hate it if I am the clumsy one. There is definitely room for improvement. But I guess I got the hang of it and since I feel that some parts of my body got a good work out I will not give up on it. See you all next week for some more Zumba.

Second day - work out with Shari

OK, I had a personal trainer today to show me what I should do to "awaken" my muscles. Oh man, did I not know they where THAT asleep! What a rude awakening! Regular curls, ok, side curls!? No Way, they where killing me, I hardly got my shoulders of the floor. That needs some extra effort. So on we went, weights, straps, ball, rope (absolutely not my favorite) bars, squats, side lunges. Really, will I ever get used to lunges and squats?
On to the leg press, piece of cake, after that - over to where I embarrassed myself big time, the hip ab. That machine was a challenge for me as a former horse back rider. I told my trainer I will tackle 130lbs, easily since I used to direct horses with my legs. I climbed in. It felt like mounting a horse, I could almost feel the saddle, the stir ups, the reins. I was ready and here we went, spurs, press....... ONE time! And we, me and my imaginary horse came to a quick halt. With my head bowed in shame I managed 60lbs, but I have my goal set! On the hip ad, which was next, I did not say a word and finished 60lbs/12 times with no problem.
I finished the work-out 15 minutes on the Elliptical (I hope its the right word) which felt like a hour and my thighs where burning since they remembered the spinning class from the day before. Pain, Pain, got to love the pain!

My first day at the Gym

So, I did it! Let the torture begin, at least for me, it is pure torture. To get me started I picked a Spinning Class! Maybe not my best choice, but I always wanted to know what the fuss is all about. Will the pain in my you know what ever go away!?! I was to afraid to stand up during spinning, I thought I might fall off the bike, so I was on my behind for 55 minutes and it hurts! Besides my legs of course, which gave away as I finally got off the bike. Now I have to do this twice a week, so was I told! Great!

Now you must know, coming from Germany the only time I rode a bike was when a) I had to go somewhere and b) there was a Biergarden at the end of the trip. And there had to be no hill between me and my destination.

Well I guess times have changed. The first thing I gave away was my bike when we moved here, since there was no way I would ride my bike here. Way to dangerous!

Anyway, moving on, the reason I joined the Gym was, of course, to get in shape.
I want to get it out there right now, I am at 146 lbs, does not mean anything since you don't know my height. Lets see how it works, I keep you posted.