I am thrilled to introduce you to someone who has a unique view into Amish life, since she has Amish neighbors in Western Pennsylvania. Adair McGee is a self-employed artist and animal rights activist will be giving us a bird-eye view into Amish homes and lives by sharing heartwarming stories. She's a complete God-send and a real asset to this blog.
Being an animal lover, she chose to write about horses in her first post. She's seen the good and ugly concerning horse care among the Amish. But you'll be surprised by her story how it's dealt with. Enjoy.
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Mary Miller, my Amish neighbor and I had
been talking about Christmas. It was a tough year for her. She and her family
had not been having a good year. Medical bills were eating up any spare
dollar they had. Mary, in her best planning mode was making lists of items she would like to
give her children and husband for Christmas. Knowing that she would need to pay
a driver to take her to the local shopping mall, I invited her to come with my friend Shelly and me to shop at a larger discount mall in the city. I was sure
she could find her items at better prices.
Shelly, an herbalist,
grooming teacher and pet trainer, was home visiting from Florida and I was sure
she would enjoy finally meeting Mary. Mary was interested in the use of herbs
and welcomed the opportunity to meet Shelly. Each of the women had heard my
stories about the other for years.
We had a surprise snow storm overnight but
decided to head out anyway. We arrive at the mall to sunshine and melting snow.
At the mall we decided to each go our own way and to meet back at the entrance
at 3:00 p.m.
Mary enjoyed the freedom of browsing from,
store-to-store and really price shopping. I gave her spare key to the car so
she could unload if she had to.
When we entered the mall, Mary asked,
"Where are the rest rooms?"
Shelly and I replied in
unison, "Right beside the fitting rooms".
"Please point ladies,” Mary responded,
“I've not tried on anything lately."
On the way home Mary said there was only one
thing on her list that she could not afford. It was a book by Monty Roberts.
All the Amish were talking about this man and how he trained his horses. I told
her I could look for it on Amazon, the internet distributor of new and used
books at reduced prices. Mary gave me the title.
The author was an easy find however the title
was his latest release and was still listed at full price. I noticed the next
book selection by the same author entitled “Horse Sense for People,” was only
five dollars. I called Mary and told her what I had found. She could not afford
the newest release. She chose to buy the five dollar book knowing her husband
Joe would enjoy any horse book, and considered it a lucky find.
I took the book to Mary as soon as
it arrived. I knew she was a fast reader. I felt she would have it read before
it was wrapped. And I was right.
Several days later Mary called and asked me to come over so she could tell me
about Monty Roberts. She and I talked about books all the time but I never
heard such excitement in her voice.
I went right over.
When I walked in the sliding door, she motioned for me to come into the dining
room. She picked up the book with both hands and held it up for me to see
saying, "Adair, this is one of the best book's I have ever read. This book
teaches us that animals are God’s gift to man. They have feelings and will
respond to love much quicker than a whip. This book is the best five dollars I
ever spent."
I was surprised and suddenly aware of the profound effect words could have and
how the words of Monty Roberts were already influencing Mary.
As an animal activist I
saw in action what I had known, awareness is the key to improving conditions
for animals. If this book so strongly affected Mary, I knew it would be a great
Christmas gift for Joe.
Not only was the book appreciated by the
Millers but the principles it espoused were put to a test a few weeks after
Christmas when Mary and Joe hosted church for the community. In the midst of a
blizzard, when most of the community events were closed or postponed, I heard
the rattle of carts passing my home. The clap, clap sound of horses hooves on
the pavement were muffled by the snow.
On Monday I was even more surprised when I saw
a "new" horse at Mary's. I was on my way home from town and had to back up to
make sure I was seeing correctly. I wondered why the Miller's would buy a
sickly horse. Their horses were always well kept an
d healthy. I stopped and
went to the house and ask Mary about the new horse.
Well, it was the horse
of one of the families who came to church. When I saw him I knew he was not
being fed well. I was shocked that they had a horse in such a condition and
that they brought it out in the storm.
But I knew one thing, Adair," Mary
continued. "That horse was not leaving this property until it was healthy.
We loaned them one of our horses to get home. And, now we are aware the family
may need help."
I knew Mary’s family would care for the horse
and when it was healthy return it to the owner. And, I knew their community
would pull together to support the family that was in need.
Helping a friend lead to one bargain priced
book, given as a Christmas present, that was already making a difference in
Mary’s community.
Monty Roberts, a favorite author among the Amish
Adair's story shows us the Amish have their problems just like anyone else, but they pull together as a community to lift each other up, helping in practical ways. They also are accountable to each other to change behavior.
