Jesse's Girl

Ryon & Jesse

You can tell how serious Jesse is about horses by the shoes that he wears.  For his tenth birthday earlier this year, he asked for a pair of cowboy boots.  Don't tell him I said this but they are the cutest things I've seen, a mature burgundy pair but teeny tiny on his still child-sized feet.  For the rainy fall weather, Jesse's been rocking some duck shoes, waterproof to the ankle and ultra practical.  When all the cool kids at school are wearing the newest flashy Nikes or tweed Toms, Jesse has on his mud and muck covered-sh*tkickers.  During the summer, when school wasn't in session and when he wasn't at his mom's house, Jesse was at the barn almost every day, helping out his dad.  You see, Jesse's dad is a stable-hand and he is his dad's shadow.  We'd chat in the evenings after I would show up to ride Ryon.  He would always ask me in his own serious way, "So how was your day?  How is your family doing?"  Which would always make me giggle because 10-year olds aren't supposed to know how to make small talk.  Jesse would fill me in on the shenanigans that Ryon had pulled during the day, all the while patting his nose and feeding him hay.  "He was fighting with Bo today.  And he moves around a lot but not outside," he would explain gravely and I would nod and chastise Ryon quietly.  Jesse would then pop off after a 15 minute chat and show up later a little later in the middle of my ride, watching still and silent from the side, judging Ryon and my performance with his eyes.  And when I would leave at night, and at this time we would be in the thick of night and past the point of dusk or evening, Jesse would ask how my ride was and how Ryon behaved, while walking me to my car.

I asked him just once if he liked being at the barn, and he responded, "I like helping my dad.  But I really just love horses."

Jesse's been one of the only ones there with me when it was snowing and blowing outside and also when I would sneak in on Saturday nights to check in on the boys.  This fall, because of soccer practice and school, I've seen him less and typically only on the weekends.  However, his cheery attitude and gentle, yet firm, treatment of these massively majestic animals still inspires me on a daily basis and I would have no problem being known as Jesse's girl.


Comments

  1. aww, your story made my heart melt. jessie sounds like such a sweet kid! i want cowboy boots too! but probably not for the same reason he wants them. heh. ;)

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  2. Oh, this story. Such passion. Who says kids don't feel things keenly and know early what they what and who they're meant to be. Thank you for taking him so seriously. That's just what he needs. (Also, I'm like Diana. Not as serious as Jesse.)

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  3. What a great little fellow. Warms my heart, he does . . .

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  4. He sounds like a fantastic guy. You must love a boy who loves animals so much.

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  5. Serious, responsible young men are the best! The very, very best!!! It's nice you have such good company at the barn...and I'm sure Jessie enjoys talking with you too.

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  6. what a great little guy! :) i love seeing kids who develop a love for something, especially animals. i think he probably has one of the most compassionate hearts.. more so than most adults :)

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  7. Jesse sounds adorable! It's amazing how passionate some kids are!

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  8. I love the visual of this little 10 year old dude asking you how your day was, haha. What an old soul! xo

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  9. Oh, and I wanted to add that I am so happy to hear that not all 10 years are glued to tvs/playstations these days! Super refreshing. xo

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  10. Awww, what an adorable mature 10 yr old!

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  11. This is too cute. He sounds like such a sweet little guy.

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  12. Oh my gosh, I LOVE this. Even though you got the song in my head.

    Why are you off to London, btw??? :D

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  13. oh, wonderful. it's so nice to hear that kids like this still exist. yes, I turned 124 over night. sigh.

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  14. What a cute little guy. Destined for great things by the sound of it. Giggled at your comment about ten year olds making small talk. Unheard of!

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  15. Man, what a gentleman! It's awesome you've found such good company!

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  16. Jesse sounds like a real sweetie. I giggled at the small talk bit. So cute!

    PS: I lost power for a couple of hours last week and immediately thought about you.

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  17. oh my goodness, i just love this story. and you know he's probably always going to remember you and ryon because you take him seriously and give him your time. so sweet. those little relationships are just so special.

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