Indian enjoying a good roll after a long ride.

This was a weekend for good friends of all varieties. Sunny and gorgeous on Saturday morning, after our chores were done and we had a yummy late morning breakfast for Valentine’s Day, we saddled up and went for a ride. The horses were full of themselves, having not been ridden for a month or so and we were full of the warmth of the sun and beauty of creation.

Oreo, ever curious, loves the camera. He’d take selfies if he could.

The heavy winter coats of our mounts made for the sweet smell of a sweaty horse when we returned. Dropping as soon as I removed the halter, they both had a good roll. Top that off with a long tractor drive and one stop for hot cocoa and a Bit-O-Honey and you have the makings of a great day. But, that’s not all…a special Valentine’s dinner with another couple and it was a lovely day and great evening fellowship.

We talk a lot about how busy we all are these days and how we don’t take the time to just visit anymore. We made up for that this weekend. Nothing Earth shattering, just simple conversation with good friends-good for the soul. I’m so thankful to have such dear friends. Sunday brought more fellowship with old friends of mine and now they are friends of ours. I left the place I’d lived for a long time when I moved three years ago. I hadn’t realized how much I miss the people. We met for lunch: Ev and John, Tom and Jeanne, Sally and Robert. It was wonderful to catch up, laugh, share our lives and even take few funny photos.

I got to thinking about all of that on my run this morning. One hundred and fifty miles is really not that far. We should be able to manage more of these times of fellowship- we need them and I think God smiled down as we all talked and laughed. I know our friends here would love our friends there too. Everyone can use good friends, no matter the distance. So, in my reading of Small Move, Big Change, I want to find a way to make this kind of fellowship happen a little more often-even if it’s only a couple of times a year. I hold all these friends, near and far, dear, so I made the commitment to myself to be sure that we do come together more often.

Like the horses, after a good long ride, we can shed our halters and roll the itch off in the dirt and hay, rising up refreshed and ready to kick up our heels!