The Most Thoughtful Gift I've Ever Received

[StarRidgeAcres]

Things have been a little stressful lately to say the least. My life has changed more over the last year than I even thought possible. Yes, I know in the long run it's all for the better but the journey sure has taken me through some rugged terrain.

But there have been bright spots too. I've met a very nice man and I feel truly blessed to have him in my life. And I've also made a new "mini" friend that has turned out to be just a gem of a person! I met her through Robin (REO) on the forum, so thank you Robin, for introducing me to Julie (CretaHillsGal) as she's been such a pleasure to get to know!

Julie, or Jules as I now call her (stole that from Robin!), is leasing Spirit for the 2010 breeding season. And we've all heard the horror stories of what can go wrong in these types of arrangements. Well, Jules is an example of exactly what can go right!! She's been WONDERFUL to Spirit. He LOVES her! And from the pictures I get, he's having a blast, looks great and loves it when she scratches him on the chest! You should see the look on his face when she does - priceless! I could never have even dreamed of a better place for him to go. And she's been so easy to work with, so willing to learn, so willing to always do what's best for the horse even if it means turning down potential money in her own pocket.

Well, Jules knows my life is changing drastically. She knows that I will not have Spirit forever and how sad that makes me. Well today I received a package in the mail that although it made me cry for hours, was the sweetest, most thoughtful gift I've ever received. This gift will allow me to always have Spirit with me no matter what the future holds.

And a big thank you to another forum family member, Kim Schult (Crabby-Chicken) for her talent!

My gift: (sorry, the pics do NOT do the quality/detail justice)

And some detail:

Forum friends are some of the best people in the world!

 

[Georgia]

It's beautiful!! Great friends are priceless!

 

[JMS Miniatures]

Wow that is just beautiful. You are so lucky to have friends like that. It sounds like Spirit is living it up. Hope things go better for you and hope you are on the right path to recovery!

 

[cretahillsgal]

Luv ya Parm!

It was the least I could do for you since you let Spirit come live with me this summer.

It really is a beautiful painting. SOOO much prettier than the pics could ever show. Kim Shult is very talented and did a wonderful job "capturing" Spirit. Thanks Kim.

I know you can't keep Spirit forever, but I sure hope that this painting will remind you forever of how beautiful he is. I took a bunch of pics of the painting before I sent it to ya to keep for myself.

I know if you love Spirit even just half as much as I have come to love him, it will be painful to let him go.

 

[cretahillsgal]

Here are some of the pics that I took of the painting. It is sooo much more beautiful in person. I wish I could show that.

 

[jleonard]

Wow, I didn't even realize it was a painting at first, I thought it was a photograph! Beautiful!

 

[WhiteTailsMinis]

wow - words escape true compliments to all involved - the story very touching and the thoughtfulness as well as the painting truely took my breath away. Awesome!

 

[little lady]

How thoughtful...it gave me goosebumps.

 

[Jill]

That is just beautiful!! It reminds me of a story book / fairy tale image -- so beautiful! I know you will always treasure it

Years ago, Erica had a portrait done for me of Destiny and it's one of the best gifts I've ever received. I just stunned. LB has some VERY awesome members (not to mention talented!!!)

 

[targetsmom]

Oh, wow, that is gorgeous!!! I am blessed to have Spirit's youngest daughter frolicking in my pasture, thanks to Parmela.

 

[ClickMini]

Kim does it again! That is an INCREDIBLE painting!!! What a wonderful friend you have to do this for you. I don't blame you one bit for crying. I have one that she did after my yearling full-size horse had to be put down after a serious pasture accident. For a while, it was hard for me to look at without crying, I missed my perfect little girl so much. It is so pretty and lives here in my office along with the portraits of Alladdin and Esprit. There may be some others that need their own portraits at some point, the next one will probably be my beautiful little Flirty girl.

 

[Crabby-Chicken]

Parmela,,,

SOOOO happy you like it! Julie and I were waiting and waiting!!!!

You have some wonderful friends that think the world of you! And thank you for allowing me to be a little part of it.

Thank you everyone for the nice words about it!!!!

 

[Riverdance]

Beautiful picture and what a wonderful thoughtful gift!!!!!!!!!!

 

[REO]

Dear Parm, if anyone deserves such a gift, it is YOU!

Thank you for believing in me. That meant SO much! I know how much you love Spirit and that you only wanted him to be leased to the perfect place. You didn't know Jules, but I did! You believed what I said and now you know what I know! Jules is so sweet and SUCH an awesome friend! She's so thoughtful and one of a kind. Thank you for letting me be a part of Spirit being here & the great opportunity.

The painting is AWESOME, as is Kim's talent! Each of her paintings is more lovely than the one before! I love Kim and count her as a dear friend too!

Parm, Spirit will always be with you! And so will my friendship, no matter what the future holds.

I love you ladies! {{{Parm}}} {{{Jules}}} {{{Kim}}}

 

[rockin r]

WOW!!!! Is all that I can say. I have had the pleasure of meeting Julie and her family. Indeed, she is very wonderful! Enjoy your painting, I do of Bumble Bee everyday! Amazing how much these gestures uplift us..

 

[AnnaC]

Not only do you have a fantastic painting, you also have some very special friends!

What a wonderfully thoughtful thing they did for you - awesome

Anna

 

[Allure Ranch]

That was a very thoughtful gesture and it truly captures the treasured beauty of " Spirit"

 

 

[Jill]

Oh, wow, that is gorgeous!!! I am blessed to have Spirit's youngest daughter frolicking in my pasture, thanks to Parmela.

That's a great point! I was so struck by how beautiful the painting is that I hadn't thought about how he's one of my "baby daddies", too! He sure makes some gorgeous foals

 

[Frankie]

Soooooooo soooooo beautiful!!! Congrats on a wonderful painting, and wonderful friends.

 

[minie812]

THAT is one HECK of a beautiful painting