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    Aditus
  • Aditus
  • Author
  • 12/05/2016
  • 541 Words
  • 2,044 Views
  • 28 Comments
Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

An Advent Calendar - 5. Door#5 - A Christmas Memory

A Christmas Memory

 

When I was ten years old, I was a typical horse-crazy little girl. I had a herd of model horses that jumped Lego jumps, pulled Lego wagons with yarn harnesses, and ran all over my parents’ gardens in our backyard. We lived in the suburbs, so I contented myself with my plastic doppelgangers and my shelves of horse books—both fact and fiction. I was a sponge when it came to reading anything about horses. I knew all the breeds, colors, parts of the horse, and what different tack was called. My room was decorated in horse posters, I owned several shirts with pictures of horses on them, and even the wallpaper in my bedroom was comprised of drawings of horses rearing and galloping.

I was content with my small library and beloved figurines. I created a small ‘nest’ in my closet where I would read my stories—imaging myself as Alec Ramsay saving the Black Stallion, then galloping along the beach on his back, or the girl who finds an abused horse, then takes it to the Olympics. Marguerite Henry’s stories transported me to Chincoteague Island and inspired a love for wild ponies. She also produced my love for the Morgan horse breed. In short…my entire life revolved around horses.

Every September, my mom would ask me and my brother for our Christmas lists so she could complete her shopping before the rush. That year she approached me with a choice. I could have my usual haul of clothes, toys, and books, or I could have horseback riding lessons. My face lit up at the thought of getting to be around the real thing. It was really quite an easy choice, and one that would end up changing my life.

I have to admit to being a bit melancholy leading up to Christmas morning. While thrilled at the idea of learning how to ride, I was also a bit sad that I would be watching everyone else open presents while I had none. I was perfectly OK with it, though. I had made my choice. I knew that riding lessons weren’t cheap, so I was very grateful to have the opportunity.

My brother had already sorted the presents into piles when I went down the stairs and into the living room that Christmas day. I was shocked to see four wrapped packages next to my fuzzy, red stocking. I told my mom that I wasn’t expecting to get any presents, and she said “You didn’t really think I’d let you have nothing to open on Christmas, did you?”

I remember those gifts very clearly. A pair of jeans. A shirt. A package of socks. And a Brenda Breyer Gift Set that contained an appaloosa model horse, a doll, and a bareback pad and bridle. I still have the gift set and all of my childhood model horses. My mom had no idea that those riding lessons would spark a passion within me that led to earning two equine-related college degrees and a ten year career teaching riding to others. While it’s no longer my profession, horses remain a big part of my life and it’s all due to a very special Christmas present.

Thank you for reading! :) Likes and comments are always welcome.
Today it isn't really a secret who shared this memory with you. :P  Do you have similar memories? Or something altogether different you like to tell us? Opinions? Thoughts?
 Story thread
Copyright © 2016 aditus, Cole Matthews, Valkyrie; All Rights Reserved.
  • Like 22
  • Love 2
Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Former Member

All I can say is that it's not Cole!

 

And I kept expecting to see Breyer Horses mentioned – I worked in a toy department for a few years from 1978 and they sold the horses. (I wouldn't have known anything about them otherwise since I only had brothers and my nieces didn't seem to have gone through a horse period when they were growing up.) And finally there was a mention at the end…

dughlas

I read those same books. Imagining myself racing the wind on the Black Stallion ... or ... as Paul going on his first pony roundup and finding Misty. My horse came with actions figures from the Ponderosa. Ben's buckskin, Little Joe's paint and Hoss's too.
Now since Val is the only one of the three to have been a 10 year-old girl I suspect she is the author of this door but you folks are tricksy ...

Puppilull

I was a stable girl myself. Not going as far as turning it into a career, but I spent a good deal of time there from the age of 10. Never seriously wished for a horse of my own, since I knew we could never afford it. Mom managed to scrape together enough though to let me take lessons and also spend time with the horses during the summer.

 

As for a special Christmas gift... It's difficult to remember one in particular. Usually I just liked the idea of getting presents or opening the boxes. The anticipation almost outweighed the actual things. Perhaps I was a strange child... And come to think of it my own two kids are the same.
I for one want to keep an open mind about who wrote this. Who knows how Cole and Adi identified themselves as children...? ;)

Headstall

This could have been my story except I was never a twelve year old girl, and I never got riding lessons. I bought my first horse at nineteen... a long yearling unbroke Appaloosa. We were both green, and learned together. I went on to show seriously for the next twenty odd years, having great success, and enjoying my passion. I totally get it. I also went to school to become a licensed farrier. I didn't own those books, but I got them from the library again and again. Thanks for sharing this memory... it resonated, Val... cheers... Gary....

Drew Espinosa

Horses? Gee, I wonder who that could be! ;)
Hehe, thanks for sharing Val! :hug: When I was a kid, I used to obsess over models of classic cars. So when I was about ten, my parents got me a model of a '57 Bel Air. :D I was so excited, because I especially loved classic cars from the 50's. Its one of those sweet memories of Christmas that will always stay with me.

 

Thanks for sharing Val! :hug:

Aditus
On 12/05/2016 05:54 PM, droughtquake said:

All I can say is that it's not Cole!

 

And I kept expecting to see Breyer Horses mentioned – I worked in a toy department for a few years from 1978 and they sold the horses. (I wouldn't have known anything about them otherwise since I only had brothers and my nieces didn't seem to have gone through a horse period when they were growing up.) And finally there was a mention at the end…

Valkyrie: Oooo… I wish I had a time machine to visit your store back then! A lot of models from the ‘70s are highly collectible now. I still have all my childhood horses and have increased the collection to close to a thousand (I haven’t counted in years). I show them at model horse shows and have been very involved in the hobby for almost twenty years now. They have brought me a lot of joy through the years. I have some pics in my Gallery for anyone who would like to take a look. Thanks for the review. It’s nice when someone knows what Breyers are.

  • Like 1
Aditus
On 12/05/2016 05:59 PM, Reader1810 said:

No Val, it's not a secret or a mystery as to who wrote this story. I seem to recall a certain GA member posting a picture of her childhood horses.

Thanks for sharing what had to be a wonderful Christmas. :hug:

I will make this official, I say that Val wrote this. :)

Valkyrie: Yeah… no shocker on who wrote this one. Lol Yes, I have a couple of pics in my Gallery. :) This was definitely one of my more memorable Christmases. Thanks for the review!

  • Like 1
Aditus
On 12/05/2016 11:37 PM, dughlas said:

I read those same books. Imagining myself racing the wind on the Black Stallion ... or ... as Paul going on his first pony roundup and finding Misty. My horse came with actions figures from the Ponderosa. Ben's buckskin, Little Joe's paint and Hoss's too.

Now since Val is the only one of the three to have been a 10 year-old girl I suspect she is the author of this door but you folks are tricksy ...

Valkyrie: Yeah… no shocker on who wrote this one. Lol Yes, I have a couple of pics in my Gallery. This was definitely one of my more memorable Christmases. Thanks for the review!

  • Like 1
Aditus
On 12/06/2016 04:14 AM, AC Benus said:

I remember when we were kids there was a really fine TV version of Black Beauty. Perhaps you saw it too at the time…?

 

I admire that you found your passion so young and had parents who supported it. It led to your degrees and a rewarding career. Thanks for sharing for us!

Valkyrie: Was it animated? I seem to remember an animated Black Beauty. I’ve read that book so many times. It was one of my favorites, despite the tears it always produced. Thanks for the review :hug:

  • Like 1
Aditus
On 12/06/2016 05:10 AM, Lisa said:

Val, that was simply beautiful. You made me cry. What a wonderful Christmas memory, and what a wonderful gift your parents got you. I do have a feeling though, even if you hadn't gotten riding lessons that particular year, you would have gotten them at some point in time. :)

Valkyrie::hug: Thanks so much! Yes, I’m sure I would have gotten riding lessons at some point. I’ll have to see if I can dig out some pictures from my first lessons.

  • Like 1
Aditus
On 12/06/2016 07:11 AM, Puppilull said:

I was a stable girl myself. Not going as far as turning it into a career, but I spent a good deal of time there from the age of 10. Never seriously wished for a horse of my own, since I knew we could never afford it. Mom managed to scrape together enough though to let me take lessons and also spend time with the horses during the summer.

 

As for a special Christmas gift... It's difficult to remember one in particular. Usually I just liked the idea of getting presents or opening the boxes. The anticipation almost outweighed the actual things. Perhaps I was a strange child... And come to think of it my own two kids are the same.

I for one want to keep an open mind about who wrote this. Who knows how Cole and Adi identified themselves as children...? ;)

Valkyrie: I’ve never had one of my own, either. The closest I came was a pony I leased with a friend of mine when we were in college. She was a fat little Arab cross… lol (The pony, not my friend ;) ) We couldn’t afford a saddle and the one that came with her was a piece of crap, so we rode her bareback all the time. I always had a stable full of lesson horses to ride and was satisfied with that. I could never afford my own either, and that was ok with me.

I don’t get many gifts anymore, and the ones I do are from cherished friends and family. To me it’s not the fact that I’m getting a gift, but more the fact that I have people in my life that care enough about me to give me one. I love giving people gifts and seeing the look on their faces when they open them.

Thanks for the review and the trip down memory lane. :)

  • Like 1
hohochan657

D-mn ! I didn't have a hobby that I was passionate about in my youth ! I missed all the fun ...

 

Now I'm at an age where dementia is setting in (early start for me :rofl: ) and childhood memories are very fuzzy unless my sister and cousins who share those with me talk about them. In our summer vacation my father would drive us (siblings and cousins) to the country club (in which my grandfather was a member) on Sundays. We'd visit the stables after lunch to see the horses who had retired from racing ... All this is sort of second hand information gleaned from my relatives as I really have very hazy recollection of these events. (All this took place in Hong Kong)

 

I did try to learn to ride during my last two years of secondary school (high school). Riding lessons were offered as part of the extracurricular activities organised by the boarding school I was attending (in England). Being really non athletic, I was thrown from my horse as it tried to catch up to the others trotting away; well it was my first lesson. I landed head first on the ground but was unscathed as all students were required to wear protective head gear whilst on horseback. I got back up on my horse and returned with the group to the stables. I have never been on a horseback since that day ...

Mikiesboy

Horses ... never been near one except for ones that held cops. So I didn't get too close to them either!

 

But I needed to learn about them for a recent story I wrote. I think I'd like to meet one someday, after the reading I did and docs I watched. The horse was an important character in the story. I think he worked.

 

This is a wonderful memory! And what a great job you had!

Aditus
On 12/11/2016 05:49 AM, Headstall said:

This could have been my story except I was never a twelve year old girl, and I never got riding lessons. I bought my first horse at nineteen... a long yearling unbroke Appaloosa. We were both green, and learned together. I went on to show seriously for the next twenty odd years, having great success, and enjoying my passion. I totally get it. I also went to school to become a licensed farrier. I didn't own those books, but I got them from the library again and again. Thanks for sharing this memory... it resonated, Val... cheers... Gary....

Valkyrie: I spent a lot of time at the library taking out as many horse books as I could. In school, we would get a catalog of Scholastic books every so often and I would be allowed to order a book or two each time. I always chose the horse books. Lol I’ve never been lucky enough to own my own horse. Who knows? Maybe someday I will. I was always happy enough riding either client horses or lesson horses. I didn’t know you were a farrier. Very cool. :) Thanks for the review!

  • Like 1
Aditus
On 12/11/2016 02:16 PM, Drew Espinosa said:

Horses? Gee, I wonder who that could be! ;)

Hehe, thanks for sharing Val! :hug: When I was a kid, I used to obsess over models of classic cars. So when I was about ten, my parents got me a model of a '57 Bel Air. :D I was so excited, because I especially loved classic cars from the 50's. Its one of those sweet memories of Christmas that will always stay with me.

 

Thanks for sharing Val! :hug:

Valkyrie: Collectors have the same mindset, no matter what we collect. Thanks for sharing your memory, Drew. And thanks for leaving the review! :hug:

  • Like 1
Aditus
On 12/12/2016 10:52 AM, hohochan657 said:

D-mn ! I didn't have a hobby that I was passionate about in my youth ! I missed all the fun ...

 

Now I'm at an age where dementia is setting in (early start for me :rofl: ) and childhood memories are very fuzzy unless my sister and cousins who share those with me talk about them. In our summer vacation my father would drive us (siblings and cousins) to the country club (in which my grandfather was a member) on Sundays. We'd visit the stables after lunch to see the horses who had retired from racing ... All this is sort of second hand information gleaned from my relatives as I really have very hazy recollection of these events. (All this took place in Hong Kong)

 

I did try to learn to ride during my last two years of secondary school (high school). Riding lessons were offered as part of the extracurricular activities organised by the boarding school I was attending (in England). Being really non athletic, I was thrown from my horse as it tried to catch up to the others trotting away; well it was my first lesson. I landed head first on the ground but was unscathed as all students were required to wear protective head gear whilst on horseback. I got back up on my horse and returned with the group to the stables. I have never been on a horseback since that day ...

Valkyrie: Thanks for sharing your memory with us. :) Part of riding horses is falling off. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve hit the ground… lol I’m sorry your first ride didn’t end so well. And it’s never too late to take up a hobby. ;)

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