April 10, 2013

Prayers for Ada

I woke up early again this morning... with a sick, sad feeling in my heart.  And I realized, it has been exactly one month since Willow passed away...

The weather is supposed to be beautiful today... over 80 degrees and sunny.  But when I look outside, all I see is a dark, cloudy sky.

I asked Martha to come early so that we could work with The Prince a bit after Mirabella's lesson and so she could check out the new barn we built for the geldings in the back pasture.  I was so looking forward to spending the first half of the day in the sunshine with Martha.  We have been working on a list about Willow- everything she tried to teach us - so I thought we could finalize the list today.

But Martha just called.  I knew something was wrong right when I heard her voice.  "It's Ada," she said... "She's down in the field, just like Alice was... and she's struggling.  We are going to have to put her down..."    Poor, sweet old Ada... what a beautiful soul.  And was always so grateful that she was a faithful friend to Willow while she was at Martha's farm.  I hated to hear that she was down and that she had probably broken her shoulder... just like Willow had.

The tears came fast and I told Martha that I was on my way to come be with her.  After what Martha did for me just one month ago today with Willow, it was the least I could do.  I just pictured her in the pasture trying to comfort sweet Ada until the vet could arrive... not knowing when that would be.  At first, Martha said it was fine, but then she told me not to come.  She said Ada's owner Michelle was on her way and that she had other friends already at the farm.  She said she didn't want me to see Ada that way... that it wasn't pretty or peaceful.  She knows my heart is still raw from the pain of losing Willow, and she wanted to spare me seeing the process.  Ada is struggling in the field right now, and Martha is having a hard time pacifying her.  She can't give her anything that might interfere with the sedation and drugs the vet will give her.  Martha is so strong, but I can tell she is sad...  Still, she told me how blessed she was to have Ada in her life, and she told me how much she'd learned from Ada.  She said it was Ada's time to go and be with her sister and to be with God.  So I asked her to please kiss Ada for me.  And I asked her to ask Ada to say hi to Willow when she sees her in Heaven...

Martha rescues Ada in 2008


What is it about a horse's life that is so epic to me?  They all seem to have such a story to tell.  Ada and her sister Alice's story is an amazing one.  The newspaper article about Martha and these two amazing mares hangs framed on the tackroom wall in Martha's barn.  I've written about them a couple times here...  (here is when Alice passed  http://www.velvetwillow.com/2013/01/a-sad-day-at-marthas-farm.html).  I'm quite sure they will bury Ada right next to Alice in the field...

Ada is in her late 30's... if she were a woman, she'd be over 100 years old.  Yes, it may be her time but it breaks my heart to think of her in pain and struggling at this moment.  And I also ache for Martha's heart...    Prayers for both of them.   It's going to be a long morning...

16 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear about dear Ada.
    It's a mile-marker day for me, too. Remembering the passing of my dad on this day five years ago. I posted the following quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer; it might speak to your heart today, too:
    “There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must simply hold out and endure it. At first that sounds very hard, but at the same time it is also a great comfort. For to the extent the emptiness truly remains unfilled one remains connected to the other person through it. It is wrong to say that God fills the emptiness. God in no way fills it but much more leaves it precisely unfilled and thus helps us preserve -- even in pain -- the authentic relationship. Further more, the more beautiful and full the remembrances, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude transforms the torment of memory into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as a thorn but as a precious gift deep within, a hidden treasure of which one can always be certain.”

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  2. Oh Shana, praying for peace for all of you. As I'm reading your post, the song Forever Young by the Canadian Tenors is playing in the background and it's making me think of these precious horses, Willow, Alice, and Ada. They are now perfect without any pain....and they are all together, running and throwing their heads high.

    Big hugs to you. Here is the link to the song Forever Young on You Tube. I think you will enjoy it.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E6-AYce-_M

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  3. Prayers of comfort for all

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  4. I'm so very sorry...will say a prayer for peace and comfort for all involved. Horses are so precious.

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  5. Oh, how sad. It seems like it is just one loss after another. How disheartening. I am praying for you every day. Love, Becky

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  6. So much heartbreak, but the 3 chums are together now. Think what fun they are having, Ada and Alice young again and Willow free from pain, galloping amongst the fluffy clouds.

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  7. So very sorry to hear this news, Shana. I will keep both you and Martha in my thoughts and prayers. <3 Jennifer

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  8. Martha sounds like an amazing woman with such incredible strength. I am so glad that she is there for the horses that are lucky enough to cross over into her path. Very sorry to hear this news, especially on the one month anniversary of Willow's passing. Thoughts and prayers to all of you.
    I hope that the Prince and Mirabella are able to bring a few smiles your way. Although one soul will never replace another soul that ended their journey here on earth, it is nice to see the circle of life and love continue.
    Pam in AZ

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  9. sending all my prayers and love to Ada, Martha, and you

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  10. thinking of you....and Martha. Thank God you have each other :)

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  11. God has called 2 of the most fantastic souls to him in a month's time .... probably because they were needed there and their circle was round and closed here on earth ... look at the clouds and you will find them over there watching over all of you; being your guardian angels thinking of you all <3

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  12. Hello, I have to say after reading your heartfelt messages it brought up such strong emotions for myself. We recently had to put our 12 year old bassett to sleep and i feel the same way as you but you can express yourself better. I read this quote after and thought maybe it could soothe some of your pain..."Even as real grief breaks your heart, something in you knows that youre being broken open, and there is something profoundly hopeful at the core of that sensation." Thank you for sharing your journey and for providing alittle bit of heaven for these rescued animals.....miranda

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  13. Shana -I am so sorry to hear this news! I am praying for Martha and your tender heart! I love the quote shared by Miranda above - to powerful and true. You have been broken open to all the beauty and love God has waiting for you! Embrace this journey and carry on in love! xo

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