Share this pageThe Guide Horse Story - Caring for our Life's Partner
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 18 December 2008 21:16
- Written by Stanton O. Berg
(Original Author Unknown.)
(Title added, text revised for husband and wife analogy, illustrated and edited by Stan Berg)
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Just up the road is a fenced field and green meadow with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is walking by, one will notice something quite amazing.
Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that HE is blind. HIS owner has chosen not to have HIM put down, but has made a good home for HIM. This alone is amazing.
Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from another horse in the field, a mare. Attached to HER bridle is a small bell. It lets HER blind friend know where SHE is, so HE can follow HER.
As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.
Like the owner of these two horses, God does not abandon us just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or medical challenges.
God watches over us and brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by a guide horse that God has placed in our lives. Other times we are the guide horses that God has placed in the lives of others needing our help.
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Stan's Comments
When I first read this story, I was struck by how the story could have and frequently is the story of a husband and a wife. I rewrote the story accordingly, in order to adapt it to the husband and a wife relationship.
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Husbands and wives in the role of caregivers are all guide horses, that God has commissioned to care for our life’s marriage partners...
”in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part!”
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I am convinced that God placed me in June's life to care for her knowing that she would be overcome by Alzheimer's. God gave me a life's calling far better than any I have ever had. I have not always done the best, but I have tried. June first helped me to see God. Then I later became June's guide horse for as long as God permitted me to do so. June passed away on October 23rd, 2008 after almost 11 weary years of struggling with Alzheimer's. She was and always will be the light and love of my life. There will never be another to take her place. June was that once in a lifetime find.
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Stan's Photo Notes
Photo below was taken by Jim Gehrz of the Minneapolis Star Tribune on October 31st, 2007 and published on 24 November 2007. "Stan and June: To have and to hold for 55 Years." Picture was taken at the Benedictine Health Care Center at Innsbruck, New Brighton, MN. The photo is candid and unposed and was taken by Jim Gehrz on a return trip that day. This scene is in the little Holy Spirit Chapel immediately in front of the alter. I would usually arrive at the nursing home at 9:00 AM in the morning and take over the responsibility for June's care for the day...following the brunch period, June and I would go down to the beautiful little Chapel and spend some time in the quiet solitude...frequently dozing off as we did here...the reflections of the stained glass side windows can be seen on the floor!
God prepared a place for June almost exactly one year later. John 14:2 (KJV):
"In my father's house are many mansions...I go to prepare a place for you..."
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(Holy Spirit Chapel, The Benedictine - October 2007)
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Reader's Comments
Claire J. Young - Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom - (19 July 2012): "This is so beautiful."
Amy Stiel Almas - Waterford, Michigan - (26 January 2013): "... bless your...for making such a difference in the world."
Michele Christie - Cullowhee,North Carolina - (26 January 2013): "What a great story...also saw the picture of you and June in the chapel at the nursing home. That is a great, natural shot of you two."
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June's Passing
After battling Alzheimer's for almost 11 years, an exhausted June was finally called home by God on October 23rd, 2008. Her funeral notice as published in the Minneapolis Star in October 2008 can be seen on this website under the "In Memoriam" label - Click on:
"June K. (Rolstad) Berg - In Memoriam".
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June's Favorite Home
For the story of June’s favorite home at 6025 Gardena Lane and the poem I wrote about this home during a day of deep sadness, click on the below link: This was June’s home for almost 40 years. It was constructed shortly after the previous home was severely damaged in a tornado. 6025 Gardena Lane was the first home the June participated in the selection and purchase of a lot on a small hill, helped with the design of the home and watched it being constructed. 6025 Gardena Lane had a special place in her heart.
“6025 Gardena Lane – June’s Favorite Home”
