Sister Ski Day!
Lately all I do is drive. I decided to take Vinnie back to his real home in Woodstock, Vermont, this winter, where I go and ride him as frequently as I can. Even though 40 minutes seems monotonous at times, I rarely am stumped for conversations inside my head during these regular jaunts. My mind usually buzzes a thousand times per second, therefore the drive goes by relatively quickly.
Woodstock will always be a very special, yet haunted town for me. I have thousands of amazing memories from GMHA and competing, to the breathtaking Woodstock Inn and Resort where both my parents used to work. I have vivid memories of my younger sister and I chowing down on chocolate chip cookies after school while listening to my father play the piano at the Inn. I remember begging my mom for more coins, so we could go play video games upstairs.
I’ll never forget searching through the gift shop and finding all sorts of gifts I’d ask my mom for. But mostly, I’ll remember the music and my fathers never-ending enthusiasm.
The holidays are both spectacular and emotional for me. Hearing Christmas carols and seeing kids open presents will continually be fun, though I will always be reminded of my childhood and what I did have that I do not have now: my father. I lost my father in this very town many years ago. I cannot drive by our old house without feeling chills and tears as they start to well up. Being reminded of him causes a tremendous amount of pain, though knowing I had more than a decade of insanely fun memories makes me appreciative.
Driving through this village brings so many thoughts to the forefront of my mind. I leave the barn after riding the world’s coolest horse, and I wonder how it came to be that I would be riding this horse, of all horses. I wonder about all the experiences and losses that led me to this point in my riding career. I wonder about the future and what I will be able to accomplish with this horse. It’s all like a dream come true. I leave the barn feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Then all of a sudden, the home where my father had his heart attack appears in my rearview mirror. Then I drive by where he used to work day in and day out. Then I drive past the ice cream shop where my dad would get everyone a treat before heading home. Then I drive past Kedron Valley Stables, where he used to pick me up and drop me off for my weekly riding lessons. Driving through this town is like a whirlwind down memory lane.
The holidays remind me that I have so much to be grateful for. I have been offered new and exciting opportunities. I have this incredible opportunity to ride a horse that knows it all and has so much to teach me. I have a support team and a network of friends, new and old. I have an amazing family who makes me laugh and try harder. I have instructors who drive me to be a better rider while encouraging me to never give up. And I have an incredible boyfriend who challenges me, believes in me and supports me.
I am doing what I always wanted to do in life. Even though my father is not here today, I know he would be proud of what his girls have set out to do with their lives. Let the holidays remind us to never forget and always be appreciative!
