Last week was a real rollercoaster ride of emotions for me. On Saturday, October 14th I got a call from a friend on the Horses & Ponies message board. I have been a member of this group for many years, and was even a co-moderator at one point. But due to our slow dial up connection at home, had not been there in the past year or so. Dawn told me to go to the board because another longtime friend and member and her horse had been killed. Above is my friend Beth and her horse Jolly who were both killed instantly when they were hit by a logging truck while crossing a highway near their farm in Quebec. Beth and Jolly had crossed this road many times, but this time Jolly spooked into the oncoming vehicle and although the driver tried to swerve, there was nothing he could do to avoid them.

Beth leaves behind a husband, an 18 year old daughter and a 10 year old son. Last Wednesday would have been her 44th birthday. She was a really sweet lady and her death hit all of us on the board hard. Even though most of us will never meet in person, we are all good friends and she was a valued member of our horse community. We talked with Beth every day, she shared her family photos, her trials and triumphs, and gave us advice and support. She will be missed so much by us all.

Then on Tuesday, I finally got to talk to Kelly Boyd. We had not talked for so long as her and Garrett were in Kazahkstan adopting 2 kids in May and June and we had been playing phone tag since they had gotten back in July. Kelly told me the sad news that their dog Sheba had passed away over the weekend. She was 17 years old and Kelly and Garrett have had her since the beginning of their marriage. I just feel so sad for them losing a family member like Sheba. My heart goes out to them.

On Wednesday I was attending the monthly March of Dimes Committee meeting and learned from a co-worker of mine at Floyd County Government that one of our other co-workers has been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. He was one of the first ones to go through our smoking cessation course back in the spring and had quit smoking for good. They have told him that with chemotherapy he still has only 6 months to live. He is truly a sweet man with a loving family and grandkids. We are keeping him in our thoughts and prayers.

And then our annual bonfire on Saturday, the 21st. It was a stressful week with all the preparations and cleaning. But I wasn't complaining. I was just thinking about how much Beth would love to be cleaning her house right now. How blessed I am to wake up each morning to a loving husband, kisses from Jazmin, a good job I enjoy and a nice house to clean. Just to be here is a blessing, for somewhere in Quebec two kids and a husband are waking up to another day without a mom and wife. I enjoyed seeing all our family and friends at the bonfire. I had a great time. I just hope you all know without a doubt how much we love you.
Love Scott and Dana