(July 15 2006)
Today is Snowy and my 17th anniversary ... 1:22PM to be exact.
I will forever hold this day as the beginning of my life.
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There he was, bigger than life. So many people just wanting a peek, I finally made my way to the front and WOW, he was more beautiful than any picture I had seen. I looked into his eyes and saw my soul come to life for the first time ever, I felt alive.
I immediately ran to the registration office and signed up as a buyer ... I wasn't going to buy him but I wanted the best seat possible to watch the sale when he came through. Well, I guess the rest is history.
The bidding was fast and high but when the man said "going, going," I raised my hand. Now the bidding was between me and another lady. I knew she wanted him badly 'cause she'd stood at his stall for hours waiting for the sale. I couldn't stand the thought that he would really be gone so I kept bidding. When they said "sold" and pointed to me I thought I would faint ... I did not have this kind of money. The man who ran the sale agreed to take a personal check, being we had talked previously about Snowy.
I also bought my daughter a horse.
When I started my trip to his stall I could not believe how many people stopped to congratulate me. There were offers from insurance companies, transporters, trainers and many well-wishers. Still in shock I immediately drove back to San Antonio to get a truck and trailer. I made it back at 4 AM, loaded my dream and set off for home. We stopped every 30 minutes to check both horses and made a couple stops to let them get out and walk around a bit.
I did not have the facilities for such a horse, so he went in the back yard. I did not sleep a wink that night ... mostly due to the excitement but then the worry set in. I had written a hot check and needed to find a way to cover it. I had only been with my bank a couple years, so I didn't know if they would help me.
The next day was wonderful. Snowy got his first bath and all I did all day was walk him around and think to myself; dreams do come true.
On Monday morning I called the bank and explained what I had done. Of course, I was told to come in right away. I skipped work and went to face an uncertain future ... freedom or jail. I was directed to Lester W, the executive VP. He asked a few questions; Is he a race horse? Is he really worth that much? What will he be used for? Is he insured? etc, etc. All my answers were the same, ... I don't know but he is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. He agreed to cover the check with a 5-year loan pay-out ... Oh my God, a new car!!
Well, needless to say, it was worth every penny. But now what do I do with him? I decided I could not provide a safe enough home so he went to the trainer to become a halter horse. Three months later, his first show and he won 1st in his class and grand champion over all age groups. The trainer's wife was also showing their world champion gelding, who was Snowy's half-brother ... Boy, he wife was so P.O.'d she chewed the judge out for placing Snowy above their horse. He had just won his world champion yearling title at the same show and sale I got Snowy at. I was so embarrassed, as was her husband.
I had known by the age of 8 that there were just 3 things I wanted out of life; a red Ford truck, a red horse trailer, and Snowy. No, I didn't know it was Snowy at the time but when he came into my life, I knew then that I had a purpose, a reason, and he was the horse I had been waiting for. All the painful memories of my previous life (childhood) seemed to fade. When I lost my home to the flood of 1998 it didn't slow me down, I had to go on, I had to provide for Snowy. Whenever life threw an obstacle at me I just kept plugging along; I had to - I had Snowy. He needed me and I didn't have time for self-pity or anger ... H___, his education was like putting a kid through college, I had to go on.
Happy Anniversary Snowy!! You will always be my guiding light, my strength, my happiness, my champion, my first thought of each day and my last prayer of each night. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the honor of being your partner. I now look forward to the day we are reunited for eternity. I promise you, my sweet boy, when I get to heaven I will find you and once again I'll be whole. Till then, please wait for me as I wait for you.
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Written by a heart in love,
by Micki in memory of
Snowcaps Legend
Snowy - my heart, my soul
Who crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 23 February 2006
Beloved friends never leave us
They just run ahead to await us in a happier place
*Snowy*
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