Wednesday, December 27, 2023
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Dearest Leann,
So long until we meet again and thank you for being my sister. I really thought meeting again might be at a horse show somewhere or at an important family event but not this event. This came way too soon for all of us. But I hope you know how much you were loved and appreciated for so many reasons.
Thank you for Danielle and Johnny and for bringing Jeff Jones into our lives. Thank you for being my best friend and confidant growing up. For sneaking out of school and walking home through a wintry New York January – or at least part way until mom and dad and Monty and Nana found us. Wow were the nuns furious about that stunt. Thank you for braiding my hunters because I didn’t take the time to learn. Thank you for coming to Gladstone with me to help and a million other times you helped me with my horses and my riding in the forty years since our trip to the USET. I’m especially grateful for you encouraging me to get back into riding after a long absence, for dragging me to dances at the firehouse, and encouraging me to ask Vicki on our first date. I wasn’t so happy about getting pulled into the Poestenkill police precinct during one dance after you felt we needed some beer but the date with Victoria worked out great. For being a bridesmaid at our wedding and godmother to Patrick. Thank you for coming to Detroit to horse show with us and staying in our lives as we moved my family from Michigan to California to Virginia. I thought there might be more time to express my love and appreciation for all you’ve meant to me.
I remember you vividly as a little girl waiting to hot walk or ride a horse when someone else was done. I remember doing lead lines and walk trots together. Most of which you probably won. There is a Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton song called “When I Get Where I’m Going”. In one verse Brad sings about riding a drop of rain. I know you’re not wasting any time on a drop of rain, or maybe you are? But I know you’re also busy riding some of the great horses of the past. What is it like to ride Miss Budweiser, Riviera Wonder, Snowbound, Idle Dice, Calypso, Touch of Class, or Jet Run? I know you rode Nazarius and Albany when we had them but you’re probably reacquainting yourself there as well. Have you tried Good Twist or Gem Twist yet? Do you have a list of the ones you’d like to ride? Have you discovered that one no one found in this life? You’ll have to tell us about it when we see you again. In the meantime, we love you and miss you terribly.
Love,
Dan
