The Paris Kollection
Embracing and enhancing the passage of time as portrayed through images and stories
of our beloved elders, both equine and human.
Embracing and enhancing the passage of time as portrayed through images and stories
of our beloved elders, both equine and human.
Youthful and Useful
A Narrative on our Perspective of Aging for Horse and Human Elders
And the mirror each culture offers the other
The Paris Kollection vision: To inspire conversation so we may embrace the passage of time. We offer a collection of stories and photos of both horse and human elders. In those stories, we will see the similar challenges both populations face, find wisdom for and from an elder community, and discover compassion for all in both worlds. The Paris Kollection will encourage a social commentary in which we rethink our passage of time and improve the elder journey for both horses and humans.
To create this initial supporting narrative The Paris Kollection started with community discussions. These created the foundations of aging in the equine world and its reflection on similar fundamentals of aging for human elders. I have entitled this: Youthful and Useful ~ A narrative on our perspectives of the passage of time in horses and humans. Through reflection we discover new ways of embracing that which can be enhanced.
The purpose of this narrative is to begin a dialogue. It is a look in the mirror that starts a conversation. We then hold the mirror to both cultures and see similar gaps as well as common gifts. Let us start in the horse world with themes of aging and tending to our beloved equine elders.
It seems there are two paths regarding aging horses in the equine world. The first path gives the horse a home until its last breath. Their caregivers have thought out the costs involved (the rising expenses in the care of an older equine) and are prepared for all that comes with spending a lifetime with the horse.
The second path is one of youthfulness and usefulness. The horse is considered for its athletic ability and worthiness to support a riding program or some other practicality that endeavours to serve humanity in some way, shape, or form. Just as in our human society, youthfulness or working years are coveted. When the horse can no longer provide that service, decisions will be made.
Here is where the paths tend to cross. First of all, let me say that life happens, and unexpected life circumstances demand change. In these instances, one is often looking for a loving and forever home for their horse. They find responsible ways of offering that horse another caring space to live out their days, including contracts of care and ongoing assistance, monetary or otherwise.
Those who live in a world that offers lifetime homes are inundated with calls about being given that special horse when it is no longer useful: homes that offer rescue, retirement, or therapy. The therapy home may offer the horse a second chance (or perhaps a first chance) to share their voice without the stress of mounted work that they can no longer withstand. All of these folks have had to become firm and clear on their answers, expectations, and financial load to care for as many horses as they can manage.
Ideally, an equine caretaker is clear on their responsibility from day one. They are knowledgeable of and accept the joys and challenges that come with caring for an older horse after their youthfulness and usefulness have passed. Many see the horse beyond those two words. They see them as another sentient being who is cared for, no matter what. They have considered and set in place options for their equine elders. Options so their horse is afforded a forever space to live out their days with care and compassion. Caring for an equine elder is not easy. Aside from declining health, the looming possibility of their transition is forever in the heart of their human. Will they make it through one more winter? Hard decisions often have to be made. Do they have a herd to spend their senior years with? A family? Are they loved?
That is the world of the beloved equine elder, and it offers a direct reflection on the youthfulness and usefulness that are today’s challenges of the human elder in Western culture. What do we see in that mirror? Although this project aims to offer a space of ongoing discovery and social commentary, this narrative is a start. The human elder narrative travels the two similar paths as the horse. Another community conversation offered further foundations.
Firstly, there is the human elder who has spent a lifetime encouraged to follow their dreams and live with passion and authenticity. They have been supported by family and taught the importance of generational wisdom and knowledge. The stories of their ancestors have been shared for future generations. Resilience and a strong voice are all factors that play into life, knowing they are loved and have a message for the world before their final day. Just like the horse who has a forever home and will be cared for because they are seen as an essential and valued part of community and the cycle of life. What makes a home that cares for their aging parents? Children are brought up with all of their family around, they have parental support of their dreams, and curiosity is encouraged (when we lose this, we lose so much that keeps us going). They know what it means to have a family that understands there are many ways to care for their elders at home and that aging is a beautiful part of life.
Sadly, that is a small percentage of the population. Often the challenges many face make for a life that minimizes their voice and lessens their feeling of control over how they live. Factors such as the following contribute to a society that does not embrace the passage of time: factors that create barriers to dignity and honour. These include, but are not limited to: climate and environmental changes where those who are aging are affected first; the rate of change in today’s society that creates a large disconnect for those who are not able to keep up; how we view the cycles of life (generations ago death and birth happened at home where rituals and traditions were common); the concept of achievement in today’s society, which is tied into our value; and the disconnect from our authenticity and lives of purpose. Each of these creates a barrier for those who are aging and makes it harder to cope in a world that admires the speed of change vs the gentleness of aging. The world is shifting so fast, and there are exponentially fewer and fewer similarities between one generation and the next. Again, tying to our title: Youthful and Useful.
The path of our last few hundred years offer a picture of the changing landscape for those in their later years. Two hundred years ago, multi-generational families lived in the same household. Birth and death happened at home and shared the cycle of life as part of our existence. A grandparent’s wisdom was imparted to those in their younger years. Aging and death were not feared as they are today. In the last hundred years, generations have suffered unspeakable trauma from world wars, residential schools, etc. The elders that lived those did not want to share their stories as it was too painful. NOW, we live in a society where stories are not as valued as they used to be. The ways we share knowledge and life experiences are causing those stories to be lost. The age of oral storytelling is a thing very few hear of and honour. Of course, different cultures see the family unit in different ways. It is my hope that we create a dialogue through this project to learn and grow from the sharing of all ways, as well as the elder wisdom and knowledge carried forth.
As we move through a lifetime we learn that aging is an inward reflective journey that is not generally valued in a world that challenges us to look outward, prize the material, and think more of the individual than the collective. In a world that wishes to look younger, feel younger, and literally stop the signs of aging. We do this because we fear what comes next. Yet, when we sit with an elder in their final days, we are witness to a beautiful and peaceful journey. When we listen to and honour the passage of time for an elder, we are offered a gift that surpasses anything monetary we will ever receive. It is for those reasons, we must shift our perspectives on aging in today’s world.
In summary:
Horses and humans have been connected through millennia and their bond is strong, whether we have shared time with them or not. There is no better non-human species to reflect our aging journey. In community conversations, it was revealed that the aging Western human culture is approached one of two ways, just like the horses. The topic of aging is not time-bound; it has been a topic as long as humans have been growing older, but it has changed to meet the evolution of the human species and the specific culture one lives in. You will see in the human stories of The Paris Kollection that each elder has a story and a message for humanity. They also share their own thoughts on the challenges of aging. You will also read of the wisdom that an equine elder has to offer the human world. Look into the eyes of an elder of either species and you will understand that we must embrace and enhance our passage of time.
When we put a mirror alongside the horse who often faces similar challenges, with no control over their treatment and how they live their best lives, then perhaps we look at our own journey on a deeper level. Perhaps we can shift social constructs and perspectives on aging. When we see our equine elders being carried to their final days by a compassionate community of humans, we can appreciate that there is another way for us to carry each other through the passage of time. When we care for equine elders in that community, we find the beauty and grace that is the aging horse. In that space they age with authenticity and truth. Let us care for our human elders with a loving and compassionate community and honour their stories, care, and passion for life.
I look forward to further and deeper dialogue through The Paris Kollection.
To create this initial supporting narrative The Paris Kollection started with community discussions. These created the foundations of aging in the equine world and its reflection on similar fundamentals of aging for human elders. I have entitled this: Youthful and Useful ~ A narrative on our perspectives of the passage of time in horses and humans. Through reflection we discover new ways of embracing that which can be enhanced.
The purpose of this narrative is to begin a dialogue. It is a look in the mirror that starts a conversation. We then hold the mirror to both cultures and see similar gaps as well as common gifts. Let us start in the horse world with themes of aging and tending to our beloved equine elders.
It seems there are two paths regarding aging horses in the equine world. The first path gives the horse a home until its last breath. Their caregivers have thought out the costs involved (the rising expenses in the care of an older equine) and are prepared for all that comes with spending a lifetime with the horse.
The second path is one of youthfulness and usefulness. The horse is considered for its athletic ability and worthiness to support a riding program or some other practicality that endeavours to serve humanity in some way, shape, or form. Just as in our human society, youthfulness or working years are coveted. When the horse can no longer provide that service, decisions will be made.
Here is where the paths tend to cross. First of all, let me say that life happens, and unexpected life circumstances demand change. In these instances, one is often looking for a loving and forever home for their horse. They find responsible ways of offering that horse another caring space to live out their days, including contracts of care and ongoing assistance, monetary or otherwise.
Those who live in a world that offers lifetime homes are inundated with calls about being given that special horse when it is no longer useful: homes that offer rescue, retirement, or therapy. The therapy home may offer the horse a second chance (or perhaps a first chance) to share their voice without the stress of mounted work that they can no longer withstand. All of these folks have had to become firm and clear on their answers, expectations, and financial load to care for as many horses as they can manage.
Ideally, an equine caretaker is clear on their responsibility from day one. They are knowledgeable of and accept the joys and challenges that come with caring for an older horse after their youthfulness and usefulness have passed. Many see the horse beyond those two words. They see them as another sentient being who is cared for, no matter what. They have considered and set in place options for their equine elders. Options so their horse is afforded a forever space to live out their days with care and compassion. Caring for an equine elder is not easy. Aside from declining health, the looming possibility of their transition is forever in the heart of their human. Will they make it through one more winter? Hard decisions often have to be made. Do they have a herd to spend their senior years with? A family? Are they loved?
That is the world of the beloved equine elder, and it offers a direct reflection on the youthfulness and usefulness that are today’s challenges of the human elder in Western culture. What do we see in that mirror? Although this project aims to offer a space of ongoing discovery and social commentary, this narrative is a start. The human elder narrative travels the two similar paths as the horse. Another community conversation offered further foundations.
Firstly, there is the human elder who has spent a lifetime encouraged to follow their dreams and live with passion and authenticity. They have been supported by family and taught the importance of generational wisdom and knowledge. The stories of their ancestors have been shared for future generations. Resilience and a strong voice are all factors that play into life, knowing they are loved and have a message for the world before their final day. Just like the horse who has a forever home and will be cared for because they are seen as an essential and valued part of community and the cycle of life. What makes a home that cares for their aging parents? Children are brought up with all of their family around, they have parental support of their dreams, and curiosity is encouraged (when we lose this, we lose so much that keeps us going). They know what it means to have a family that understands there are many ways to care for their elders at home and that aging is a beautiful part of life.
Sadly, that is a small percentage of the population. Often the challenges many face make for a life that minimizes their voice and lessens their feeling of control over how they live. Factors such as the following contribute to a society that does not embrace the passage of time: factors that create barriers to dignity and honour. These include, but are not limited to: climate and environmental changes where those who are aging are affected first; the rate of change in today’s society that creates a large disconnect for those who are not able to keep up; how we view the cycles of life (generations ago death and birth happened at home where rituals and traditions were common); the concept of achievement in today’s society, which is tied into our value; and the disconnect from our authenticity and lives of purpose. Each of these creates a barrier for those who are aging and makes it harder to cope in a world that admires the speed of change vs the gentleness of aging. The world is shifting so fast, and there are exponentially fewer and fewer similarities between one generation and the next. Again, tying to our title: Youthful and Useful.
The path of our last few hundred years offer a picture of the changing landscape for those in their later years. Two hundred years ago, multi-generational families lived in the same household. Birth and death happened at home and shared the cycle of life as part of our existence. A grandparent’s wisdom was imparted to those in their younger years. Aging and death were not feared as they are today. In the last hundred years, generations have suffered unspeakable trauma from world wars, residential schools, etc. The elders that lived those did not want to share their stories as it was too painful. NOW, we live in a society where stories are not as valued as they used to be. The ways we share knowledge and life experiences are causing those stories to be lost. The age of oral storytelling is a thing very few hear of and honour. Of course, different cultures see the family unit in different ways. It is my hope that we create a dialogue through this project to learn and grow from the sharing of all ways, as well as the elder wisdom and knowledge carried forth.
As we move through a lifetime we learn that aging is an inward reflective journey that is not generally valued in a world that challenges us to look outward, prize the material, and think more of the individual than the collective. In a world that wishes to look younger, feel younger, and literally stop the signs of aging. We do this because we fear what comes next. Yet, when we sit with an elder in their final days, we are witness to a beautiful and peaceful journey. When we listen to and honour the passage of time for an elder, we are offered a gift that surpasses anything monetary we will ever receive. It is for those reasons, we must shift our perspectives on aging in today’s world.
In summary:
Horses and humans have been connected through millennia and their bond is strong, whether we have shared time with them or not. There is no better non-human species to reflect our aging journey. In community conversations, it was revealed that the aging Western human culture is approached one of two ways, just like the horses. The topic of aging is not time-bound; it has been a topic as long as humans have been growing older, but it has changed to meet the evolution of the human species and the specific culture one lives in. You will see in the human stories of The Paris Kollection that each elder has a story and a message for humanity. They also share their own thoughts on the challenges of aging. You will also read of the wisdom that an equine elder has to offer the human world. Look into the eyes of an elder of either species and you will understand that we must embrace and enhance our passage of time.
When we put a mirror alongside the horse who often faces similar challenges, with no control over their treatment and how they live their best lives, then perhaps we look at our own journey on a deeper level. Perhaps we can shift social constructs and perspectives on aging. When we see our equine elders being carried to their final days by a compassionate community of humans, we can appreciate that there is another way for us to carry each other through the passage of time. When we care for equine elders in that community, we find the beauty and grace that is the aging horse. In that space they age with authenticity and truth. Let us care for our human elders with a loving and compassionate community and honour their stories, care, and passion for life.
I look forward to further and deeper dialogue through The Paris Kollection.
We dedicate this project and kollection to all of our respected elder horses and humans
who have graciously shared their passage through life so far and offer us
their wisdom to reflect on our own journey through time.
who have graciously shared their passage through life so far and offer us
their wisdom to reflect on our own journey through time.
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GRATITUDES
My most sincere appreciation to those that took the time to share their perspectives on aging from either the horse or human culture. Whether you shared via community or private call, or the written word, your thoughts and feelings are weaved into this narrative. Thank you for your time and heart in sharing what a compassionate and caring community looks like.
My most sincere appreciation to those that took the time to share their perspectives on aging from either the horse or human culture. Whether you shared via community or private call, or the written word, your thoughts and feelings are weaved into this narrative. Thank you for your time and heart in sharing what a compassionate and caring community looks like.