Home

Full sleigh bells ring in the distance as the giant chestnut Clydesdale pair round the weathered barn. My heart races as they approach and for just a moment I am unsure if they will really stop. Pulling to a gentle whoa in front of us, the heat rises from their immense bodies and sweet smells of horse and leather fill the air. Instantly I am back there in the barn breathing in all of the innocence of childhood as I wait for dad to put the saddle on my horse. Brushing the straw from my hair and I am back in the cold air staring at the beauty and power. It's Christmas and the entire family is home. Home from lives diverge to such different paths. Home. Where are the wee children who once knew how to play? We climb aboard, the straw pokes at our legs and we nestle in beneath wool blankets. Giggles and chatter are caught up in the wind and echo back to us off the forest around. Off in the distance the sun kisses the edges of the bluey mountain as it rises up from behind the farmhouse. That's where we are headed. We have nothing but the day to glide along and breathe. 'Over the river and through the woods' rolls off the back of the sleigh as the warm baritone voice of my brother winds through the evergreen trees. Our fearless driver offers the reigns. My dad slips the narrow reigns through his fingers, like taking the hand of an old friend. He smiles his warm smile. He is not here, he has slipped back in time to the farm and to the winter days where even chores were a pleasure. This picture treasured in my heart forever. Holding back the massive power of the great and beautiful beasts that pull us on toward the mountain. The silence here is gorgeous. Warm smiles and face washes ensue. Memories and cameras capture it all as we stop for a hot chocolate served in deep country mugs. Snowballs fly and the 'men' pose for a photo for their CD cover. (long story) The antics continue as we turn towards home, laughter and singing and joy rides on the tiny crystals in the air. Here we are again the brothers and sisters who played together on a long ago day. Leaving the cares and struggles behind for the free places where time has no meaning and breathing is easier. Home.