Whisper

Blessings often come at unexpected times and in unexpected ways.  Often times they come because of the goodness of Christ like people who serve others with love and kindness.  Bryce and I had been struggling for weeks with how to approach the Grizz situation with Brandt, and Bryce had finally decided that we couldn't put it off any longer and went ahead and made the arrangements for him to go to his new home.  A few days before this was to happen and before we had mentioned anything to the kids, Stacey Transtrum "happened" to post on Facebook that they had a horse for sale because they had too many.  When we talked to Stacey about her and explained why we were looking for a new horse, we all felt that she would be the perfect fit for buddy.  Clair said that she was ours free of charge as long as we would let him borrow her to pack on when needed.  Stacey's cost was a bit higher, though-a hug and a kiss from one of her favorite little boys.  My heart is still bursting with gratitude for neighbors who are so thoughtful and who genuinely love my family. We were able to go pick her up two days before sending Grizz on his way. Brandt fell in love with Whisper as soon as he met her, of course, and he loved Miss Stacey's explanation of why she named her Whisper.  She told him that Whisper always put her nose right up to her ear like she had a secret to whisper to her.  Brandt was thrilled that she nuzzled right up to him the first time they met and he quickly started bonding with her.

 Brandt ended up being really upset and "sick" the morning Grizz was going to leave, so we let him stay home from school until afterward.  He was able to give Grizz a hug goodbye before he was loaded in the trailer, and then went directly to the field to cry to and love on his new friend, Whisper.   Brandt has had a very difficult week emotionally since finding out Grizz would be leaving with extreme ups and downs, anger and sadness, and violence and acting out, but we are starting to understand better that these are all the ways he expresses his sadness when he really doesn't know how to cope with it.   What an amazing blessing it has been to be able to have Whisper be here for him in order to make the transition a little less painful.

Today Bryce took some time out to saddle Whisper for Brandt and let him ride her for the first time.  Bryce led him around the driveway and yard for a bit and then Kylie got a turn.  Whisper was super gentle and calm with both of them.  Then Brandt decided he wanted a turn by himself, which made us a touch nervous because she hadn't been ridden for two years according to the Transtrum's.  I made a round on her in the field (with buddy's way too small for me saddle-too bad someone didn't get pictures of that as I'm sure it was entertaining) and then we decided to let him go for it.  He did his ritual asking of his horse to take care of him and give him a good ride before getting on, and it worked because she really did take good care of him.  He was so happy and proud of himself, and once again I was just so thankful! Thankful for his safety and happiness and the horse (and her previous family) who helped make it possible, and mostly thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who saw fit to bless us with Whisper.