Do you have a burning desire?
Do you have a burning desire?
April 1, 2010 by Taylor Studios
I found one of my burning desires when I was about three years old. I believe that is about the time I fell head over heels in love with horses (or ponies at that time). We had a Shetland pony named Buck. He taught all six of us kids how to ride. His occupation before we adopted him was to go in a circle and give kids rides at carnivals. Supposedly, my mom let him babysit me when I was three years old. She would tie him to a tree and set me on his back. I guess I would hang out on his back for quite some time content as could be.
As I grew up I begged for a bigger horse. I eventually got a pony named Charlie. He was great, but I wanted a real horse. I begged, I wished for one on birthday candles and falling stars and I took good care of the ponies showing responsibility. Finally, when I was in seventh grade I got Charlotte. She was a small Quarter horse with a very big heart. She was fast! I spent hours and hours on this horse. We went everywhere.
Several years later I went off to SIU. I was on my own once I left for college so money was very tight. I came home my Freshman year and worked in a glass factory, a TG & Y store and sold pots and pans that summer. I went back to SIU that Fall without my horse. The next summer I wanted to stay at college for summer school, but wasn’t about to live without a horse. I put out an ad that I would work for board. I found a great horse farm that let me bring Charlotte and her foal. Eventually, I really ran out of money and the farm owner gave me a place to live, too. I worked that job and another to make ends meet.
As the years went by I always found a way to have my horse. At times, this meant my living conditions were not ideal. Often landlords saw that we would be good tenants and let me have the horses without additional rent. I built fences, did some of my own farrier work and even built a barn once. Given my burning desire I was able to have Charlotte for 28 years. She just passed away a little over two years ago.
Betty & Charlotte
Betty with her Friend Sharon & Charlotte
I believe if you have a burning desire for something you can have it if you are willing to make the sacrifices for it. Many people ask what time do you get up in the morning to feed the horses…? When I describe the effort it takes to have my love, they want no part of it. The sacrifices have been well worth it.
Do you have a burning desire? What are you willing to sacrifice to have it?
A friend gave me a plaque with this written on it after Charlotte passed away.
“Don’t cry because it’s over…
Smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss
This is a of me and Charlotte a few years before she passed away. I’m a little embarrassed at my form. I’m pulling on her mouth a bit too much and my elbows are flapping. I knew our running fast bareback time was coming to an end. I was enjoying the moment. It’s still hard to follow Dr. Seuss’ advice. I miss that horse. There are tears on my keyboard.