Senior Moments
By Adele Passmore
Jack approached Mickey without hesitation, “Hey big fellow” he called out.
No longer listening to my encouragement to have a seat with the others and with his cane clicking on the concrete floor,
Jack walked up and stood with Mickey and I. Mickey lowered his head to take in his new friend as Jack scratched his forelock.
Mickey slowly closed his eyes as Jack gently moved down his face.
No longer listening to my encouragement to have a seat with the others and with his cane clicking on the concrete floor,
Jack walked up and stood with Mickey and I. Mickey lowered his head to take in his new friend as Jack scratched his forelock.
Mickey slowly closed his eyes as Jack gently moved down his face.
For some it would be the first time up close and personal
Jack told the group of his love for horses, a love he had had from the time he was a kid and just how he missed them. It was clear Jack was reclaiming and feeling through memories as he stood with Mickey. Jack smiled as he spoke of horses delivering milk and how excited most of the kids were as they heard them coming. By this time Jack and Mickeys’ noses were just about touching, exchanging the essence of mutual love. Mickey soaked up all that was being offered to him and mirrored Jacks heartfelt admiration. He demonstrated how horses have a unique way of prompting us to feel, and then holding the space for the experience.
On these special visits it was indeed exciting to see the bus coming in the driveway knowing more than a thousand years of living experience was about to disembark. As they got off the bus a few golden agers were independently mobile, others had their walkers, a few with canes and even a few folks in wheelchairs. I knew they would enjoy the beautiful farm space with the horses but the impacts and just how meaningful, was far more powerful than I could have imagined.
The benefits on their emotional wellness was noticeable throughout the day. Lives would be changed, mine included, and all with a little horse medicine.
Four different groups of seniors came and spent a few hours with me and my two rescue horses, Mickey and Noah. Some of those seniors had worked with me as part of their wellness program for more than a year. Each month they would always asked about “the boys”, my boys. They had heard the stories, seen pictures and were excited to finally meet them in person.
After arriving the seniors took the time to enjoy the horses from afar, observing the ways in which they communicate and display their place within the herd. Simply observing the horses in community interacting without words, flowing with their needs and emotions.
We gathered after for conversation over tea and snacks in a lovely room in the barn decorated with pictures of all the horses that had lived on the land over the 20 years.
As they shared stories about their experiences with horses or lack of experience, they took in new awareness and understandings about each other as a community. Stories of their lives with and without horses, of the good and hard old days.
There was an energy of anticipation to meet the horses and for some it would be their first time up close and personal with these majestic creatures who were loved from afar. Others carried memories which left them with an apprehension towards them. And with some, sharing nothing but gleeful memories of the freedom their horse offered them. One woman spoke of riding bareback to school in Saskatchewan and of the loving and trusting bond between that little girl and her horse.
Marion, a spirited and active woman in her nineties told of how she had always wanted to brush a horse and that it was in fact on her “bucket list”. When the opportunity had presented, fear had held her back and she never made it happen. When this outing was announced at her retirement residence she knew she needed to attend. Hearing this, I invited her to allow Mickey to help her make it happen. She thought about it for a second and then jumped up ready and willing.
We briefly explored the emotions that came up for her when she thought of doing this activity, which were fear and vulnerability relating to her lack of experience. I encouraged her to express her feelings and concerns to Mickey and, in acknowledgement of the truthfulness in her heart, Mickey lowered his head and licked his lips. For me it was a sign of the connection that was happening between them. After a little more guidance, I handed a brush to Marion and she began to experience something new in her nineties.
A little less apprehension
With a hand on Mickey’s shoulder Marion brushed along his back as high as she could reach and with each stroke felt a little less apprehension. She left that day with a new sense of success and confidence, and with one less thing on her bucket list. The smile on her face was priceless.
On these special visits it was indeed exciting to see the bus coming in the driveway knowing more than a thousand years of living experience was about to disembark. As they got off the bus a few golden agers were independently mobile, others had their walkers, a few with canes and even a few folks in wheelchairs. I knew they would enjoy the beautiful farm space with the horses but the impacts and just how meaningful, was far more powerful than I could have imagined.
The benefits on their emotional wellness was noticeable throughout the day. Lives would be changed, mine included, and all with a little horse medicine.
Four different groups of seniors came and spent a few hours with me and my two rescue horses, Mickey and Noah. Some of those seniors had worked with me as part of their wellness program for more than a year. Each month they would always asked about “the boys”, my boys. They had heard the stories, seen pictures and were excited to finally meet them in person.
After arriving the seniors took the time to enjoy the horses from afar, observing the ways in which they communicate and display their place within the herd. Simply observing the horses in community interacting without words, flowing with their needs and emotions.
We gathered after for conversation over tea and snacks in a lovely room in the barn decorated with pictures of all the horses that had lived on the land over the 20 years.
As they shared stories about their experiences with horses or lack of experience, they took in new awareness and understandings about each other as a community. Stories of their lives with and without horses, of the good and hard old days.
There was an energy of anticipation to meet the horses and for some it would be their first time up close and personal with these majestic creatures who were loved from afar. Others carried memories which left them with an apprehension towards them. And with some, sharing nothing but gleeful memories of the freedom their horse offered them. One woman spoke of riding bareback to school in Saskatchewan and of the loving and trusting bond between that little girl and her horse.
Marion, a spirited and active woman in her nineties told of how she had always wanted to brush a horse and that it was in fact on her “bucket list”. When the opportunity had presented, fear had held her back and she never made it happen. When this outing was announced at her retirement residence she knew she needed to attend. Hearing this, I invited her to allow Mickey to help her make it happen. She thought about it for a second and then jumped up ready and willing.
We briefly explored the emotions that came up for her when she thought of doing this activity, which were fear and vulnerability relating to her lack of experience. I encouraged her to express her feelings and concerns to Mickey and, in acknowledgement of the truthfulness in her heart, Mickey lowered his head and licked his lips. For me it was a sign of the connection that was happening between them. After a little more guidance, I handed a brush to Marion and she began to experience something new in her nineties.
A little less apprehension
With a hand on Mickey’s shoulder Marion brushed along his back as high as she could reach and with each stroke felt a little less apprehension. She left that day with a new sense of success and confidence, and with one less thing on her bucket list. The smile on her face was priceless.
We are never too old to learn something new.
One participant told us he left the farm when he was eleven and had not been around horses since. George is now in his nineties, which made that experience more than eighty years ago. At this time in his life he is without a majority of his sight, yet he spoke of how the smells and sounds of the farm and the land filled him with memories that were clearly meaningful for him. Perhaps a closing of a circle, honoring of a life well lived, of adventures, of love and loss, all beautiful moments.
I did indeed witness, that even with more than a thousand years of life experiences, those beautiful seniors had learned something new that day. Mickey and I watched them board the bus a little brighter, a little lighter, a little more confident and with a new sense of community.
These memorable senior moments showed me that we are never too old to; share in a little horse medicine, learn something new, let things go and conquer a little fear.
I did indeed witness, that even with more than a thousand years of life experiences, those beautiful seniors had learned something new that day. Mickey and I watched them board the bus a little brighter, a little lighter, a little more confident and with a new sense of community.
These memorable senior moments showed me that we are never too old to; share in a little horse medicine, learn something new, let things go and conquer a little fear.
"Horses taught me grounded steadiness. "
David R. Senior, Workshop Participant
David R. Senior, Workshop Participant
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Adele Passmore Bio Vision: to bring love and compassion to the hearts of humanity so we can remember why we’re here. Making her own drum played a significant role in guiding Adele home to her heart, and honouring her Native roots and Metis Heritage. Adele combines aspects from her life experiences and ancestral wisdom to facilitate Drum Making Experiences and drumming circles. Adele has always had an amazing love and ability to connect with horses and people alike. She knows firsthand the amazing affect that horses can have on a person’s heart. Throughout her life whenever healing was needed, without even understanding the connection, Adele was called back to the horses. The horses guided her wounded spirit towards self-actualization, acceptance and love. As the creator of “In Circle with Life,” Adele creates a sacred space for those wanting to begin their journey back to their source, that of love, by opening a pathway to self-healing, better health and happiness and a more heart centred and creative life. Adele, connected to spirit, partners with horses and Earth Mother Medicine offering private, group sessions and workshops. A balanced self is paramount to her agenda to facilitate her clients’ personal journeys towards wholeness and spiritual freedom. Adele is a Registered Natural Health Practitioner, Wellness and Life Co-Coach, FEEL Facilitator, trained as both Thai Massage Practitioner and Yoga Exercise Specialist. Connect with Adele through: www.incirclewithlife.ca or adele@incirclewithlife.ca. |