I’ve said goodbye to a lot of special friends in the last 20+ years. I’ve had friends that I thought would always be there move on and out of my life for the most part. I’ve met hundreds of kids and when saying goodbye added “see you next year!” Only to never see some again. It’s life and life moves on.

But today I said goodbye to one of my best friends. I saw him up on “the hill” and I knew.

We are the same age. We basically grew up together. He listened to me so many times and even let me cry sometimes. He would take the horses out with me in the Summer sometimes and we had some really special times and memories together. Times that I am thankful for. Times I will cherish.

He’s a horse. But not just a horse.

Named Mr. Tige like my Grandpa he was my dads horse for a few years. He became famous for the 100s of times that my dad has told the story of “Riding the Storm”. Thousands of people have heard about Mr. Tige.

He survived Atlas in 2013. One of nine.

He was the go to horse for whenever there was a kid at camp that was scared and never wanted to ride again. “Here!” I would say, “let me put you on my favorite. I PROMISE you that Mr. Tige will take the best care of you.” And he always did. And I never ever saw one of those times not end without a smile on the face of that kid.

When I got back after going out to check on him and finding that he had lived his last day I met dad in front of the shop. I still had some tears in my eyes. And dad did too. “He taught alot of kids...” Dad said and all I could do was nod. We both knew.

I don’t think it ever gets easier. I mean shucks if it ever does I think I might need to make a career change.

I am so very thankful and will ever be grateful for the way that God has used those “missionary horses” in my life.

One of My best friends lived his last day on the ranch today. But he wasn’t “just” a horse. He was a horse that changed lives. And I know of a pasture full of them that are still doing just that.