Wednesday, December 30, 2009
At a time when the world was bright at Lake Erie College in the mid 70s a small woman with a wry smile stood there in the center of the ring, and said "go for it". " I know you are not here to be an equestrian major but I know you love horses, so ride and we'll get you into the gym classes" I did , and she ended up my gym techer, of all things. It is a very small amount of time, life, and Gretchen touched mine in such a special way although I was never a profound or stellar woman of her horse world, Lake Erie's or any one else's for that matter.. But she was great.. 5 years later when I came down with cancer and was recovering at the Cleveland Clinic, Gretchen was part of the LEC family who came to visit me.. " you know you can always ride.. even if you do have cancer and are missing a few body parts, '' said Gretchen..fast forwad a few decades and we met again.. this time in Michigan.. I had two children and two horses in tow at a dressage show.. " Oh my God.. I heard you got better, and now I have been sick".. she said.. " oh my gosh Gretchen," I said, ' I heard you have been ill" "Well, yes Candi. remember, no guts no glory" she quipped.. I do remember that... thank you Grethcen, you will never know how much a simple smile and a simple encouragement helped a lowly nobody to ..believe.. on go no with the things called life. Wth much love, and I will miss you..Candi cain Dunnigan LEC 1977
