Heart Friends

A few months ago, Jersey #2 expressed a great desire to have a friend who was also a heart patient. She was struggling with being so different, and wanted a friend who understood what she was going through.

Her prayers have been answered.

Little did we know, this cowboy who helped her over come her fear of riding a horse, is also a heart patient...

This is Cowboy Max. He and his wife founded Galloping Grace Youth Ranch. They specialize in providing joy to families by bringing children and horses together.

We met Cowboy Max, and a couple of their horses at a Pumpkin Stand fundraiser last October. These pictures of Jersey #2 riding a horse were from that day. She debated back and forth about whether or not to attempt to ride. She has always been fearful, even of little pony rides. But, the excitement that Jersey #1 and Jersey #3 displayed about the opportunity to ride a horse, was so contagious that she put on a helmet and stood in line for her turn.

She almost changed her mind when it was her turn to ride. Cowboy Max was patient and encouraging. He won her trust immediately. She let him lift her into the saddle, but he picked up on her fear right away. In the picture above, he is telling her that the horse does not even have to move forward. She can just sit there for a moment if she'd like. She liked that!

After just a minute of conversation, he had convinced her to relax a little, enjoy herself, and try letting the horse take a step.

This had to have been the slowest walk around a corral I have ever seen. They certainly gave me plenty of photo opportunities. I was so thrilled to see Jersey #2 overcoming her fear and riding a horse!

Our children had a second opportunity to ride these horses at the Christmas tree corral fundraiser in December. Jersey #2 was very eager to ride again, and was less nervous. I contacted the Ranch to express my appreciation, and also requested our children be added to their roster for next season.

I have been secretly hoping that being around the horses and taking a few riding lessons will be a great distraction for Jersey #2 as she prepares for heart surgery. I also came across a lapbook curriculum about horses that I thought would complement the focus.

I am not yet clear if the time line of when the Ranch opens for the season, versus when her heart surgery will be scheduled, will cooperate with my goals.

I was just blown away a few weeks ago, when the Ranch sent out an email about the success of this past season. The email explained that their year started with Cowboy Max recovering from open-heart surgery to replace a valve in his heart. I was able to show the email and pictures to Jersey #2. She was thrilled to learn that Cowboy Max is a heart patient too....and he had a valve replacement, just like she will.

She has a friend who is a heart patient. She is no longer alone in her journey.

I emailed the Ranch again, to tell them how much they have blessed our family already. It did my heart good to see a need be met for my daughter. I could not contain my joy for this answered prayer.

Cowboy Max responded and said he would be honored to be Jersey #2's heart friend.

It is just amazing to me the way God places the right people in our lives at the right time. Who knew that the same cowboy who helped Jersey #2 overcome her fear of riding a horse would also help her face her fear of open-heart surgery!