Fear of Failure, a Lifelong Search for Love and Fulfillment James E Aarons DVM

Two years later, we found we weren't using the horses anymore. I think our hearts were too broken. So, I gave both Mocha Too and Lucy to my sister Jackie. She and Steve came on a weekend and took the horses to Fresno. The next week they returned to get the horse equipment, all of it. Jackie commandeered my saddles, my pads, my blankets, my halters and bridles and extra bits. She took the saddle racks off the walls. She even removed and pocketed the spurs on my boots. I’m sure that was illegal; you cannot take a cowboy’s spurs. However, she put everything to good use.

As the ceremonies were winding down, I went to find Mary. She was talking to Melenie just outside the front door. As I approached her, Mary seemed confused. She was telling Melenie she didn’t remember singing any songs. Seeing me next to her, Mary wanted to know if she had already performed. I said both of the songs were great. The crowd even sang with her during the National Anthem. She looked back to Melenie, and repeated: “I don’t remember singing at all.”

Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand and wine in the other, screaming "Woo-hoo, what a ride!"

"I was standing in my front room by the window at approximately 7:00 PM. All of the windows and doors were opening my house. I heard a tremendous crash then a thunk. There were no screeches of brakes before or after these disturbing sounds.
---testimony from neighbor Robbie Derrick.

Although I no longer enjoyed any breeding contracts at the large horse ranches, I continued to see horses for other clients. Many of these folks were becoming tired of their horses. Some were older animals left over from the days when the kids were still at home, now more interested in gasoline, perfume, and alcohol instead. Other people were moving out of the area and didn’t want to take their horses with them. Some were getting too old to ride and just wanted them given out to a good home. Soon the old ostrich pens were populated with horses named Blackie, Dharma, Lucy, Lenny, and Shiloh, in addition to Candybar, Mocha, and Casey who were already members of the Shadowmere Riding Club.

Tuesday morning when I went out to feed her, Candybar had a foal suckling her. Mary and I immediately checked it out. As with any first newborn child, we bought books to help us rear an offspring, one who would be confident with people from the very beginning. We lavished much time and attention on Mocha, and the efforts paid off.