So this entry is going to be my tribute to the only soul I have so far encountered in my journey through life that has left me breathless and humbled.

My little grey (grey with an "e" because he is extraordinary) Arabian, Ninja, entered my life unexpectedly, but at a time when I couldn't have needed someone more.  I feel very blessed to have had him enter my life.  I think he goes to show that the world will take care of you by sending you what or who you need at the time you need it.  I didn't realize it then, but when I look back, he was everything I needed.  It's funny too, how you don't realize you are getting what you need until you look back on it.  I definitely had no clue at the time the impact this wonderful horse would have on my life.  It's amazing how much of an influence he's really had on me.  I guess that's why I felt such a connection with him from the beginning.

The first time I ever saw him was at an open house at the farm I bought him from.  The trainer got on him bareback, with just his halter and cantered him around the ring.  Ninja carried himself with a perfect shape, his neck arched, his knees lightly tucking up in front of him, his tail flowing as his hooves beat out a gentle tempo in the grass.  I couldn't remove my eyes from him.  Never had a horse captured my senses quite like he had.  He was the most beautiful thing my eyes had ever beheld. 

A few months later, I was hired by the farm and an agreement was reached that I would work to buy this amazing horse.  When I realized that it was the horse that had captivated me so, I felt as if I was getting God's horse.  How lucky could I be?

And so Ninja became the guiding force in my life.  He gave me reason and stability.  He was the life jacket in the churning waters of my life.  Maybe you think I'm crazy to feel I owe so much to an animal, but it's not something that can be explained.  It's his soul that is what is important, not the body it is in.  Maybe he is my guardian angel.  I don't know.  All I know is that he has taken care of me like person has ever done.  And because of that, I owe him everything. He deserves all the riches of the world because he is who he is.

He is so much more than a horse.  When we are riding together, he is my partner.  Each move we make, we dance together.  These days, I'll only ride him bareback, so I can feel his power and be closer to him.  We benefit from each other when riding, I from his strength and he from my leadership.  When I am on the ground next to him, our relationship is even stronger.  Then he is my brother and my friend, which is even better because then we see eye to eye.

He is pure and uncomplicated.  He wants nothing and asks for nothing.  He expects nothing from me, but gives me everything in return.  He gives me flight without wings, and as if that weren't enough, becomes the wind that lifts them.  He breaks my heart and heals my soul at the same time.  I am so humbled by him.  He is the definition of perfect.  I never in a million years could be worthy of him, yet there he stands looking to me with those liquid eyes of kindness and everlasting hope in a broken world.   I could give him everything and still fall short of what he has done for me.  If there is a correct way to live life, he has showed me.  I hope I can love as unselfishly and as unconditionally as he does.  He has no true reason to show any faith in me.  Yet he does.  He stands at my side through anything, never wanting to disappoint.
           He never could and never will.

I usually get a skeptical look when I say this, but often, I swear I can read his thoughts.  I'll be brushing  him, or doing something around him, and I'll hear him.  Wierd stuff, like something he wants me to look at, or something about him I need to notice.  Maybe that makes me insane, but I think it just shows the bond that we have.  He's a powerful horse with a powerful presence.  He has an aura that is bright and unyielding.  He is so sure and comfortable with who he is, it's impossible not to see that and respect him for it. 

He completely fits the description of noblity without pride, friendship without envy, and beauty without vanity. His grace is laced with muscle and strength with gentleness confined.  He is willing to serve without servility, and he can fight without enmity. There is nothing more powerful, nothing less violent, nothing so quick, yet nothing more patient. He bears all upon his back.  Willingly and gladly.

To me he is the most beautiful thing I will ever lay eyes on.  Nothing will ever compare.  He is the yardstick by which greatness is measured in my eyes.  I may bear him on my heart, but I carry him on my soul.  He is the greatest gift I could ever pray for.  I deserve nothing more in my life because I received it all at once, when I found him.  And even when the years pass, and his benevolent soul passes into the next world, I will carry a bit of him forever because he has touched and influenced my very perspective on life.  


I'm sure I'll add more to this, as I think of more praise for this incredible creature...