'Tis a Gift to be Simple'

'Tis a Gift to be Simple,
'Tis a Gift to be Free,
"Tis a Gift to come down
where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves
in the place just right,
'Twill be in the Valley
of Love and Delight.
~Shaker Hymntune


We live in a Valley......it had been originally settled by German Immigrants and called 'German Valley'....but it had been home to the Indian's of the region for many, many generations before the first 'American' settlers, and I always wondered what they called it, as it is truly a peaceful and beautiful valley.

It was a path way for the troops of the Revolutionary War. My in-laws house that is a mile up the lane from our house, was built in 1774........

The Valley is beautiful........it is now labled in three parts, Long Valley, Middle Valley and Lower Valley. We live in Lower Valley.

and this is where I celebrate my days.....raising my children and living my life. I am truly blessed.

So on Wednesday, when I sat and waited for Emma Sage to return from a trail ride [yes, my little girl indpendantly rides on the trail with her class ~ something I could not do [or fathom to do] at her tender age], I sat looking off ~ up the Valley, the warm spring breeze surrounding my body. the scent of all the flowering trees, both delighting me and making me sneeze [darn allergies]. The clouds dancing in the sky and I with a book in my lap. As I stared off into the distance this Hymn came to my mind.

'Tis a Gift to be Simple..........and I'm so thankful for this Valley of Love and Delight,,,,,,,,and watching my little girl it a place that is just right for her.



Emma Sage loves grooming her horse as much as she loves to ride. Her teacher said to me the other day, animals give people wings....and how true it is for Emma Sage, as she truly soars when she is interacting with animals. She has found her 'perfect' place.





and more so than animals.....human beings who believe in the full potential of their fellow man, give more than wings....they give a gift that is immeasurable.

Emma Sage's teacher Ms. Bonnie is one such human being....she is giving Emma Sage the most tremendous gift.....the gift of believing in herself and her capabilities, and that my friends is 'Priceless'.