What it really means to be grounded.

Sometimes one realizes what you have when it’s not there anymore.

And this week for us, the reality is rather earthy- literally. What it truly means to be grounded as an individual can be different for each person. For us one simple creature did that day in and day out.

For 23 years, 365 days of the year, Cocoa nickered and whinnied his morning greeting to us when we walked out the door. Every day the response was the same, “Good morning, Cocoa, I’m coming!” He just had a way of positioning himself to keep watch on the house. There was always the hope that watermelon rinds, sweet corn cobs, or apple slices might be coming his way.

Cocoa was a Christmas gift to the children back in 2002. He and another miniature quarter horse were purchased by the kids Grand-papa to give them many fond childhood memories. What I learned from this gift was that Grandparents should not choose family pets. But what did that matter, the horses were loved by the two cousins as soon as they saw them.

Then the many memories began. Cocoa nearly knocking one sister out with front rearing! Cocoa being tackled by frustrated father after he was out again. Cocoa not giving rides unless halter walking. Cocoa getting founders after finding spilled corn. Cocoa making unlikely friends with Dodge the ram for our sheep herd. And there are many more than funny stories to tell.

Cocoa grew a little bigger than miniature. And he became more “shetland” than expected every winter. I would sometimes call him our “unstable” pony, meaning he would rarely stay in the barn during inclement weather. We would often find him out sleeping back by the grain bin hidden from all view.

The girls grew up grounded by farm animals and pets. These pets taught many lessons. The most important of them is that animals are not “soul” creatures. The life and death of critters is the ebb and flow of life on this earth. People are the important thing. God made creation for us to learn from. We learn that God has a sense of humor and that He loves us more than we could ever love any of our pets.

Cocoa though steadfast and dependable would never be as faithful as our Father in Heaven. Though God might discipline His beloved child, He will never step on your foot in retribution of an unpleasant experience. Cocoa never failed to step on my foot if he was mad at me for payback if he had to do something he did not like.l

One of my favorite verses from proverbs goes something like, “Where there is no horse the stall is clean.” The original reading is ox, but no one even has seen an ox around here. Horses are much more common. And so now, the end draws near of the “black gold” that Cocoa graced us with daily. We had rotating piles for awhile, so that I could use the old stuff for compost in gardening. Now we will be dating the stash by years until we find another source. Not sure another “chore” is going to arrive any time soon. (We feel old.)

Cocoa was 23 yers old when pneumonia took him to another grassland.

Try explaining this to the grandkids every time that they come to visit and the littlest one eagerly speaks, “See, Cocoa!” Ugh. No, baby, Cocoa is gone. “Where did he go?” Cocoa died sweetheart. He is gone. “Where did he go?” Well, when an animal dies, you have to bury it. we buried Cocoa. “Why?” Because when things die, they get smelly. “Where is Cocoa buried?” Oh, sweetie, it doesn’t look very good right now. It’s here on the farm. How about if we make it look nicer and plant a tree and put a stone there to mark the spot later this fall? “Oh, I like that, Oma, that would be nice.” “I miss Cocoa.” I know, so do I.