Hello Beginning
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When Simon finished his first horse session at RideAble today he asked me this question, "Do you think this will be a powerful memory?"
"Of course it will be." I answered as I helped him change out of his boots and back into his tennis shoes.
"Will it protect me when I encounter Dementors?"
Ah, a very specific Harry Potter reference.
What he was wondering, this awesome boy of mine, was if this memory would be powerful enough to become his patronus.
Harry Potter fans will recognize this quickly, others may need an explanation:
"This ancient and mysterious charm conjures a magical guardian, a projection of all your most positive feelings. The Patronus Charm is difficult, and many witches and wizards are unable to produce a full, corporeal Patronus, a guardian which generally takes the shape of the animal with whom they share the deepest affinity. You may suspect, but you will never truly know what form your Patronus will take until you succeed in conjuring it." (Miranda Goshawk)
An animal with whom they share the deepest affinity.
The way the Patronus charm works is that the wizard must concentrate, with all their might, on a single, very happy memory to protect themselves in the darkest moments.
What Simon was telling me, through this short conversation, was that he loved this experience.
The truth is, he didn't need to tell me.
I could see it in the way he was paying attention, in the way he was careful and kind, and in the way he smiled at me when he caught my eye.
Simon was on a horse once before if I remember correctly, many years ago down in Bandon on the Oregon coast. That horse, as Chris and my parents will remember, was named Silver. Today he met Chica and he was smitten.
We signed him up for these lessons with the hope that it would be something he could get excited about and connect with (to the horses, to the instructors, to the other students, to the experience).
Today was an awesome beginning.
Life is for living. And for making memories and learning new things and finding stuff to get excited about and sharing deepest affinities.
#gosimongo
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74 comments
This is awesome in every way! And your photos of this story are incredible!
Replies to tccba
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This makes my heart dance with joy for Simon...and for you, Ali! xoxo
Replies to tinka323
Me too! Well said :)
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Oh my goodness. My heart.
Replies to AndiWalsh
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Beautiful she says with tears. I have never commented on your blog before but being a horse lover and owner my whole life I so get the magical indescribable power of horses. They have been my saviour many times. Horses just know and over the years I have had many of mine bring that special joy and bond that only horses can to friends with children. Go Simon and Chica. Simon is so lucky to have you for his Mum (:
Replies to LisaMacfarlane
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That one question - 'Will it be enough to protect me from Demons?' - shows such depth of thinking. This made my heart so happy. What an amazing child he is.
Replies to lisap17
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There is an excellent book by Wyatt Webb called "It's Not About the Horse". He has spent most of his life helping people connect with themselves through their interaction with horses. I took one of his classes while visiting Miraval and was amazed at what I learned about myself by simply grooming the horse. Horses are amazing animals.
Replies to kdonaldson
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I love every single thing about this story!!
Can I ask you what camera you used to take the photos?
They are great!
Replies to JanellK
I use a Canon 5D MKII with a 24-70 lens.
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LOVE how you captured such a special memory with your words and the photos! I especially love the photos!
Replies to Smylee87
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What a wonderful story!! Thanks for sharing and way to go Simon!!!
Replies to spagirl
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I don't comment much either...but appreciate you and your words. Have also taken olw for the past 3 years. Still going strong. LOVED this post. As a mom, a teacher and an auntie to 16 nephews... This is priceless!!! Makes me think about my own "patronus" and what my own children can or will use to keep the darkness at bay.
Replies to Emmy
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lovely. just a lovely glimpse into something i can imagine you may have been terrified yet so excited for him to try. thanks for sharing.
Replies to shelleymay
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Love, love, love programs like this! So happy it went well and I love how he related it to something that is already so important to him - HP! I've also been following your blog for quite some time and this is super! This moved me to tears in seeing him triumph as you & Chris cheer him on! I'm sure you also had to be open to these new experiences so go Ali too!
Replies to chp97
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I got emotional to this post as a mother of a Autistic son myself I know they have their own special way to connect to things and
when we find them it's magical , thanks for sharing hope Ali.
Replies to Jana_NJ
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Yep, so this totally made me cry. I think it was the Harry Potter metaphor. So awesome to hear about Simon's new beginning
Replies to jamieleija
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This makes my heart soooooo happy. This is so wonderful. Horses bring such joy. They have been such a gift to our daughter and we now have one as a family member. Simon might like the FB page I'm a horseaddict.
Replies to robyns
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Beautiful.
Replies to Anniejj
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Hi Ali. So heart felt. Thank you for sharing your moments with us. Go Simon!
Replies to flilicee
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What a great week of posts and enjoyment reading your blog. Of course my favorite is always your approach to Project Life. These photos (and posting) about Simon and this new experience are amazing.
Replies to scrapfin1
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Oh man. This Harry Potter lovin' mama has tears in her eyes. So awesome.
Replies to abragg79
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Totally love it Ali! I got the Harry Potter allusion immediately! Brilliant! I am so happy for Simon and I hope he's able to continue with this program for a very long time. As I mentioned, I have a cousin who has devoted his life to therapeutic riding programs and your photos make my heart swell up.
Replies to Queen_Mary
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