To Shelter and Protect

As is the case with most equine veterinarian offices, they see their fair share of dead or dying horses.  Unfortunately for us, today was one of those days where a dead horse happened to be on the grounds.  A tarp had been covering the horse but with the wind picked up and so did the tarp.  As I was leading Charlie(the pony) to the stall where he would be spending the night, the vet tech commented that she needed to cover the dead horse with the windblown tarp so my son would not be upset.  Oddly, I was more concerned that my pony would think I brought him to the vet to die.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that moms can sometimes shelter their loved ones from things that may or may not negatively affect them.  In this case, Brett has dealt with his share of death this year and seems to handle it quite well.  Charlie had no relation or connection with the dead horse and it is unlikely that he thought I was bringing him to the clinic to die, but as a mom I went in to protection mode.  As the vet was inspecting the horse I told him the symptoms I had seen since I returned on Sunday night.  All of them seemed to point to age, but he has the same thought about Cushings and so they will keep him overnight, do blood work in the morning and float his teeth.  The vet, tech and facility seem safe and so I agree to leave him overnight.

After a few errands and basketball practice we get home.  As I unload the car, the goats are crying and calling for their pony.  The goats will not have their warm pony friend tonight.  Tonight as I lie in bed I will likely think more about the things I protect my children from and whether or not they are valid.  I think there are so many things we, as parents, are charged to protect and so many other things we protect out of fear or laziness.  I will need to do some evaluating and maybe you will do the same.

Tonight I am fighting off a cold and will bundle up and turn on my humidifier.  My week in Vegas means I can never miss a day of school again, EVER.  I am thankful for Vicks, humidifiers, and children who go to bed early.(Day49).  Goodnight Friends./