Those things that get you through

There was a point when I knew things were not good between my parents. My brother and I hadn't been told anything yet but I knew something was wrong. Eventually we were taken to a parade by my mom and a friend and she told us what was going on. I think my dad moved out while we were gone. They did counseling. He moved back in. He found a new job in a new state. We moved. Somewhere during that time we went to Kansas for a family visit. My brother and I stayed with relatives while my parents spent some time in the car together driving back to wherever we lived at the time. I knew it was some sort of last-ditch effort to try and salvage the marriage.

What I also remember about that particular vacation was that I had a new book, The Black Stallion. And with reading this book began my obsession with horses. I think almost every girl goes through this horse phase. I drew them and dreamed of being a horse trainer. When we moved to that new state there was a nearby horse stable. Most days after school I would ride off on my bike and pet velvety soft noses and scratch necks. I read all of the books. There are a few. It was one of those things that would get me through the moves and fights and sadness and craziness of the life I was experiencing at the time.

This past year I've found a few Walter Farley books including a copy of the The Black Stallion and The Island Stallion. A few weeks ago, in a box of library discards at my local Salvation Army store, I saw those books up there and got really excited. But thinking about that time in my life also makes me a little sad.