THIS WEEKS COLUMN ABOUT LIFE, DARKNESS AND LIGHT

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The Darkness is the Light's Way of Preparing us for Something Beautiful

Animals and children are our great teachers of wisdom.

Their wisdom is always spot on, and inspiring.

It was the day before Christmas Eve two years ago; my daughter Olivia broke her femur in a riding accident. Weeks turned into months as Olivia was home alone in her home.

The school did not support her, despite pressure from me. Relatives and friends were far away! It was a hard dark time, with pain and tears.

"Mom, it hurts to live! "Olivia said one morning.

As mom it made extremely painful to hear those words. We talked about that after the darkness comes the light, and not to try to lose hope.

One day asked Olivia me to drive her to the stable where the accident had occurred. She went to the big beautiful horse. ' "It was not your fault and I do still love you!"

The place where the accident had happened sat deep within her, like a vicious thorn in the heart.

We decided to search for a new riding school. We found one that was not far from our home. There was a beautiful sand-colored (palomino)  pony named Sunshine. Olivia and he hit it off immediately. Never before had I seen a horse and rider become so attached to each other that quickly.

I looked up to the Universe and smiled.

"Mom, do you remember the day when we talked about never losing our hope when it feels dark. Not to see an accident as only something negative. " said Olivia

I recalled a message from a street dog that reminded of what Olivia said.

To my luck, I found my notes from the time I met the homeless dog.

Most people are afraid of pain, but they also fear facing their fellow beings pain. They many times flee and judge it to maybe, it can be a drama they do not want to be involved in. A person's pain is not only his or her lesson; it is everyone's lesson. It shows if you are judgmental and walks away, or if you are the one who helps. A lesson is not only negative, but if the fear comes in, it will become negative.

That's Amore!

Mörkret är Ljusets sätt att förbereda oss för något vackert

Djur och barn är fantastiska lärare. Deras visdom är alltid klockren och inspirerande.

Det var dagarna innan julafton för snart två år sedan som min dotter Olivia bröt lårbenet i en ridolycka. Veckor blev till månader som Olivia tvingades ligga ensam i sitt hem.

Skolan stöttade inte henne trots påtryckningar från mig. Släkt och vänner fanns långt borta! Det var en svår mörk tid, med smärta och tårar.

”Mamma, det gör ont att leva! ” sa Olivia en morgon.

Som mamma gjorde det oerhört ont att höra de orden. Vi pratade om att efter mörkret kommer ljuset, om att försöka att inte förlora hoppet.

En dag bad Olivia mig köra henne till stallet där olyckan hade inträffat. Hon gick fram till den stora vackra hästen. ’”Fina du, det var inte ditt fel och jag älskar dig fortfarande!” sa hon.

Platsen för olyckan hade satt djupa spår inom henne, som en ond tagg i hjärtat.

Vi bestämde oss för att söka efter en ny ridskola. Vi hittade en som inte låg långt ifrån vårt hem. Där fanns en vacker sandfärgad ponny vid namn Sunshine. Olivia och han fann varandra direkt. Aldrig förr hade jag sett ett ekipage vara så sammansvetsade som de två.

Jag tittade upp mot Universum och log. 

”Mamma kommer du ihåg den dagen då vi pratade om att aldrig förlora hoppet när det känns mörkt. Att inte se en olycka endast som något negativt.” sa Olivia

Jag mindes ett budskap från en gatuhund som påminde om vad Olivia sagt.

Till min lycka hittade jag noteringarna från den hemlösa hunden.

De flesta människor är rädda för smärtan, men ni är även rädda inför era medmänniskors smärta. Ni flyr undan många gånger och dömer det till att det kan vara ett drama ni inte vill bli involverade i. En människas smärta är inte endast deras lärdom, det är allas lärdom. Det visar om ni är fördömande och ryggar, eller om ni är den som hjälper. En lärdom är inte endast negativ, men om rädslan träder in, blir den till negativ.

Med dessa ord vill jag, Olivia, Max, vår Sunshine passa på att önska er underbara läsare en riktigt God jul och ett Magiskt 2017.

That’s Amore!

Our Sunshine in Life at the Big Day

This horse is magic! I am so proud over him that it is sometimes unbelievable!

He is smart, polite, educated and so nice to my daughter when they are together. Never anything bad, quiet the opposite. He teaches my daughter about riding and life.

Last Sunday was a competition at Nordstetten and Olivia signed up. It was her first big event but Sunny had done them before.

Some pep talk before.

Olivia entered the dressage Reiter WB and won in her group. We were so happy, not mainly for first place, but for getting back up in the saddle again.  After her horrible riding accident back in december 2014 when she broke her femur, it also broke her confidence. Actually, our lives changed a lot that time.

Lena Kiefer is helping Olivia before entering.

And some cute girls were admiring Olivia and Sunny.

And me, drank prosecco with the lovely ladies.

Olivia warming up Sunny.

There are also so many new people that we are thankful for, having in our lives. Her riding teachers in dressage and jumping and new friends.

Olivia did good in jumping, I think she scored 6,5p. Olivia was a little surprised and shocked after the jumping, since Sunny really got his speed up. But, I am proud over how far she has come in this short period of time. And we are forever thankful for Sunny Boy, what a fantastic horse!

That's Amore!

Signs Out there in Life

During the last months have feathers literally been landing around my feet. Ever time I see them I smile, thanking life. Then suddenly, I wonder why I did that.

Why don't I smile and thank life when I see rocks, or people!

A wise friend of mine told me that feathers are signs from the Other Side. Telling us that we are on the right way in life.

Another wise friend, right at the same moment with all the feathers, released his book Healing.  On the books front cover, there is this beautiful feather. He  told me that Angels are sending us feathers.

Evert Tuesdays we receive a bucket of carrots to treat our love horse Sunshine. (He is a true spirit)
Olivia (my daughter) and I burst out of joy when we every week find what we call, our love carrots.

"We need more hugs in life," says Olivia and I  while hugging each other.

I have come to realise, that there are so many signs and reminders out there in life. And together with smiles and laughters the day can become magic.

Thats Amore!

And So It Begins

Today my children and I went with our Italian friends to have a look at their horse. They wanted my opinion about this beautiful, clever and sensitive horse.

Well, I had everything right when I explained their horse's mentality and health, so they wanted me back. It felt wonderful being out in the stables again working. Today, I felt how much I have missed it.

And, Olivia (in a couple of months turns 4 years-old) wanted so badly to ride (ok, this pictures shows something else, but this was the only photo were the horse looked good) that she cried, hanging around our legs. Well, I signed her up for her first riding lesson next Tuesday. Gosh I am as exited as Olivia.

When we came home Olivia said "And then I want a cow!"

That's daughter Amore!

AWL Helped Bianco, The Rowing Club Mascot

A big dog friend, Helene (UK) called me and asked if AWL could help her with a dog at the Italian rowing club and restaurant, across the lake from where I live. The dog had a problem with one of its back legs.
Of course AWL would and could!

We agreed on meeting on a Saturday morning. It was a peaceful morning, the water on the lake was glittering from the sun, and I was greeted by a happy Helene, and a wonderful, happy, beige dog, Bianco.
Bianco limped and sometimes didn't put down his leg. He had "kind off" healed burn wounds on his stomach, but he was loving, gentle and didn't leave your side.

The restaurant owner came out, Bianco's "guardian angel." He told me what had happened one morning:
"I heard this terrible scream and rushed out. Bianco was being attacked by a Pitt Bull and it wouldn't let go even when I tried to hose it off with cold water. I ran in to the kitchen and got a pot of boiling water and threw it over them. It wasn't until then that he let go, and poor Bianco got burns
and a nasty bite."
I asked if they knew what had happened to the Pit Bull, did the owner get charged for miss handling a dog (breed)?
"The Pit bull ran into a pasture and attacked the horse, the farmer came out and shot the dog"
The restaurant owner took Bianco to an Italian veterinarian clinic were he was examined, but still he was not doing great, better though. But could we help?

I asked if we could have him castrated at the same time? The owner looked at me with big starring eyes, and his lips formed in a soundless "NO".
I promised that AWL would take care of the bill. His face lit up and he took my hand and was pleased. "Si, si!"

Bianco is doing fine now, a small fracture above the knee, his burns are healed and he is still a happy, castrated boy back at the restaurant. And, Helene sponsored by paying Biancos medical bill.

Healing Amore Helene Grazie!