Quote of the Day:  “There is no end.  There is no beginning.  There is only the passion of life.”  Federico Fellini

Five years ago, almost to the day, my family went on a holiday that would forever change our lives.   We received an invitation from a family at our daughter’s preschool to join them at their vacation home in the California desert.  Little did I know that this journey would transform my life AND provide the most life altering additions to my soul.

The reason the family was in town on this particular trip that February was because the mother, Tarni, was competing at the HITS Desert Horse Show, which takes place annually in Thermal.  Thermal is a small, unincorporated community near Palm Springs, CA.  Equestrians simply refer to the show as “Thermal”.  We spent the day at the show grounds where Tarni introduced my daughter, Ally, to her beautiful horses.  She introduced us to riders, the grooms and trainers.  It was at the cafe where we met a trainer named Wendy.  She was very kind to take some time to chat with us.  On that day, Ally’s little life was forever changed; because on that day she fell in love with horses and began her journey on the path to discovering her true life passion.

Fast forward; it is now five years later, and, once again winter break is upon us.  As we ready our bags to head to our own little vacation home near Thermal, my mind goes back to that poetic February day so many years ago.  My cameras and lenses are packed, ready to take hundreds of photos of the little girl who fell in love with horses 5 years earlier.  Ally will be showing her pony, Paint by Numbers, for the first time at Thermal.  And, yes, as you probably guessed, she will be jumping her pony under the watchful eye of her amazing trainer, Wendy.

Thank you, Tarni, for the gift you brought to our family and the gift of your friendship.  Godspeed, little one, on your journey on this next big adventure.