OPEN EYES you are explaining my life again. It brings me to tears as always. What you said about show barns is so true. I used to hate it the little rich girls would show up to the show grounds w/ there trainers and were so into beating each other and everyone else. It was sad to see they took such pleasure in beating others not encouraging one another. I was a poor kid and only got 6 or 8 lessons a year and had to share lessons at that so I could afford them. I'd go tot horse shows though and video tape there warms ups and lessons and take it home and watch it and learn. I mostly learned not to be cold to others, and to love my horse. He was not an animal w/ a number he was my best friend.

Those shows helped make me who I am today. Being ignored by others all my life helped make me who I am today. I don't ignore others. We all deserve to be treated like humans not numbers.

This reminds me of a story. My great grandma at Christmas gave us kids the greatest gift ever. She gave us 5 min of undivided attention. There were only 15 or 20 great grand kids and grand kids. She couldn't give us anything for Christmas, there was just to many of us. She would save her pennies though. Each of us got a dollar in pennies in a small cocktail sauce and 5 min of undivided attention. When I sat on grandma's lap and it was on me I was the most special person ever. What I wouldn't give for my Grandma's hug and 5 min to be her princess now. She's been gone for almost 30 years.

OK enough teary stuff. Thank you for making me think (I think)