By Betty Baltozer
 

My young student struggled with feelings which made her believe that she was not very special.

So one week I asked if her parents could be part of a family session to reinforce in a unique way just how special she is to them. We did an activity using the letters posted around the arena fencing. The week before the lesson I prepped her parents to write each of the letters on separate 3 x 5 cards- A B C E F H K M (dressage letters for those of you in the horse world). They were instructed to then list traits that they believed positively described their child beginning with each letter. When the lesson day came, we went into the arena and my student was on her favorite horse Sammy. She would choose which letter to go to first and then ride to that letter with mom and dad walking alongside. When they arrived at each letter, mom and dad looked directly into her eyes as they took turns reading their words of encouragement and joy. My student was shy at first when all the nice words were being said, but then dialogue began flowing between them! It was a blessing to see how much they opened up to each other, all the while with big smiles on their faces. It was a sweet, sweet time! As this dear family walked to their car to leave, I encouraged them to work on a family homework assignment; to take those cards home and together - create a memorable keepsake with the cards such as a poster, memory book, mobile, etc.

When my student came back the next week for her lesson something really cool happened! She asked if together we could go into the arena and go around to each letter again. But this time, she thought it would be great for us to tell each other what made us each feel happy and appreciated.

It was a delightful time of sharing with lots of giggling going on (especially when I was trying to tell her and demonstrate what a hula-hoop was from my childhood).

Building relationships, sharing the good we see in each other, connecting parents with children in simple but profound ways all flowing from God’s incredible love for us; these are some of the beautiful things that happen week after week at Green Meadow Farm.