Grandfathers and Youth

Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. ~John Wayne
I love horses. My grandson and I used to watch a true story horse movie, Secretariat, the fastest racehorse ever. Then there’s Australian Silver Brumby – the wild stallion and the magic of the mountain and rain. Another favorite is The Man from Snowy River. Horses are fast, strong, and incredibly beautiful. The first time I saw a real live horse up close was like a dream. It was alarming too! Police officers riding on horses patrolling the crowded street on New Year’s Eve during the Rose Bowl Parade on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California. Then those wealthy owners and their kids on the back of their beautiful horses galloping as part of the parade on New Year’s Day Rose Bowl Parade. Some of them came to Southern California from other state to show their beautiful animals. It was a sight to behold with their cowboy outfits, Stetson hats and all.
I found the ‘Heartland” Ranch – a Canadian Drama Series that drew my attention. Horses!
Heartland is an extensive family tale that takes place where an unfortunate tragedy kept the family together through hard times – the thick and thin moments of life. It is filmed in Calgary also known as the Cowtown. Beautiful backdrop of snowy mountains, thick forest of green, and meadows where livestock – sheep and cattle – are grazing and horses run wild and hide in the forests of greens, and drink from the rivers. “The young Amy Fleming discovers she possess her late mother’s ability to aid injured horses as well as maintaining good relationships with those who are trying to get by one day at a time. The family pursues forgotten dreams and challenges as their strength is tested against personal struggles.” Sounds familiar? It’s our human story: We may have varied degrees of injuries, the pain in our lives is the common denominator that crosses oceans, continents, islands, and culture. We can all heal together through understanding, and forgiveness. Accepting our differences (not trying to change another person into your own image) that make individuals unique in a community.
The most beautiful character of Heartland is Grandpa Jack. The loving father – a cowboy, who cared for his grand-daughters after their mom [his daughter], died and estranged father. He also takes in the young broken teenagers on probation back to normalcy by giving them responsibility at the ranch, teaching him how to fish, ride the horse, and to persevere as they build self-respect. He made me think of my own grandfather. Jack’s granddaughter, Amy, works with horses to overcome their fears of abuse, and restore them back to trusting their owner/rider. His oldest granddaughter Lou is an entrepreneur. Then there’s Mallory, the uninvited child who just can’t stop talking. Lol
Working with the youth is a hard work – and it’s not a formulaic process. There are no steps to follow. It takes patience and understanding – a great deal of discerning and a big heart full of love. Just because they seem happy, the layers of rejection and abandonment underneath the laughter and are deeper than eyes can see.