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 traveled,
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 a bundle 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 people can understand that it's not "just a horse"
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a horse,"
just smile,
because they "just" don't understand.
He’s not "just a horse,"
He’s MY horse.
MY life.