From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse," or,"that's a lot of money for just a horse".
They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a horse." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse."
Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a horse," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman/man."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a horse" just smile, because they "just" don't understand.
Catherine, this is brilliant. My twin said only yesterday that as inner-city children with no money we really hadn't much reason to be grateful to our eldest sister for introducing us to horses. I'm now an inner-city adult with remarkably little money. I tried to explain that horses give us the opportunity to be the best we can be and that through horses I've been exposed to ideas and situations I wouldn't have come across otherwise; they've impoverished me only in a strictly financial sense. I think I'll pass your posting on to her on the oft thought but ne'er so well expressed principle.
luv
f