Enter His Gates
February 9, 2011 
When I sat down to write just now, I wasn't sure where to begin, as I found out this morning that a dear friend had passed on last night. She was a woman who had taken me under her wing when I was a little girl, and we spent countless hours horseback riding together.
Even though I had already been riding horses for awhile, she made me ride only bareback until I could run the horse down her (very long) driveway and back again. (If you've ever rode a horse at a gallop going 'back again', you know that they are especially eager and speedy at heading back toward the barn.) Then she let me use a saddle, and from there... The sky was the limit. She took me riding with her all over the countryside. She even once sent me on a riding adventure with two of her older sons, and thankfully I had a good horse, because an adventure, it most certainly was.
It's funny how those memories, once foggy, can come streaming back to you as if it were yesterday.
But beyond what I remember, what I feel, both now and then, is that she was a kindred spirit and friend.
My husband and I had the opportunity to go visit with her a few weeks ago; and before I tell you about that, I want to say something... If you are in the position of wondering if you should go visit someone who is, or once was, an important part of your life, and is in hospice, go. Just go. This was the sage advice of my wise old brother-in-law (wink wink), and I'm glad I took it. I can only hope she took some joy from our visit with her, but for me, it was a blessing. I can't tell you exactly how, it just was.
We sat with her and her husband, and mostly we talked about... Horses. Horses from the past. Horses in the here and now. Pictures of horses. Memories of horses. What I took most from our visit was a sense of inspiration, looking back on a life that had been so full, lived with such vigor and passion. Yet she was always a woman of respect and faith.
As my mom aptly put it when we talked earlier today, "If there was ever a person who was going to go to heaven, it was her."
So here I sit, a bit sad, but mostly imagining the rush of wind against my cheek while racing down a dirt road on a fast horse. And I can't help but imagine my dear friend feeling the breath of heaven on her cheek, as she enters the gates of heaven.
Reader Comments (5)
Such an incredibly beautiful post my sweet friend!
You wrote a beautiful tribute about her. I'm sure there is some celebrating in heaven today.
Angels are rejoicing to have such a kindred spirit back among them.
Good for you for listening to your feeling to visit her.
Thank you for the reminder.
I am sorry for your loss! It's so difficult to lose someone who taught you so much. What a lovely "memorial post"- I'm sure that if she's reading it up in heaven, she's smiling.
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I am glad that you had the opportunity to visit her before she passed.
Ruth
I was blessed to have that kind of relationship growing up and I will cherish it always. Sad for your loss.
Sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet, inspiring friend. Very thoughtfully written memorial to her!
I hope and pray that we leave a legacy of inspiration (pointing people to Christ in our actions) to others, too!