Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“I got your note that you wanted to talk to me.”
“It’s about the summer camp sessions.”
She sat down in the spare chair in my office. “What about them?”
“I know we already have one week in June, one in July, but I was thinking we could add another one in August this year—but wait,” I said when she went to speak what most likely was going to be an objection. “I was thinking this third week could be for kids with special needs.”
Her brows lifted. “You’ve always talked about wanting to do that. Have you researched it? We would need the right staff at camp for that week.”
“You know me, Mom. I’ve researched the hell out of it. I was thinking, what if it was for the whole family? That way, the parents—or at least one parent—could come with their child. After speaking with over two-dozen parents of children with special needs, every single one of them loved the idea of going to camp with their kids. Being there for them while watching them try new adventures. And you know that equine therapy was something I was fascinated with in college.”
“I remember.”
“Horses can calm riders with autism, allowing them to be able to focus on learning how to ride. There’s a woman I met at a conference last December who uses therapeutic horsemanship to help campers concentrate on learning how to ride, communicate, and connect with the horses. It teaches them that they can live life as fully and independently as possible, taking into account each camper’s situation. And imagine learning not only how to ride a horse, but how to care for one as well.”
My mother smiled. “Would it only be for kids with autism?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think we need to limit it to just that. We would, however, need to hire someone trained in therapeutic horsemanship to oversee the program. I’ve been trying to learn as much as I can for the last several months. We’ll need to train our volunteers and camp counselors on how to interact with the campers—and by that, I mean, we’ll need them to assist a bit more than they do with the other campers.
“We’ll also need two volunteers, instead of one, to walk alongside the horses, to ensure the riders’ safety. They’ll need to know how to handle a host of different situations that might arise, both medically and emotionally. That’s why I was thinking we could have the parents stay as well, because we could learn so much from them. They could volunteer, and help train our current volunteers. It would be a test run this summer, with a small number of campers, to see if this is even something we can offer in the future. Some kids would be day campers only, while maybe a few we can try out for overnight camping.”
Another wide smile from my mother as she said, “Emeline, that’s a wonderful idea.”
I returned the gesture. “I think so too! Also, you know that new little perfumery that opened on Main Street a few months ago? Wonderland Whimsy, owned by Lilibeth Asher?”
“Yes. Lily and I stopped by there after they opened. The store’s adorable, and she sells the cutest children’s things! And the candles—did you know she makes them all there? And does a class where you can make the candles and the perfume? It’s Alice in Wonderland themed. And she also has an event space above the store. You remember her parents moved here first. Liam and Whitney. They’re a lovely couple. Lily and I’ve gotten to know them while helping them get settled in.”
Lily Waters was my mother’s best friend, a recently retired teacher at River Falls Haven, an orphanage in town. They’d been friends for as long as I could remember. Together, they were such a huge part of the community, and I knew they’d welcomed Lilibeth’s parents with wide-open arms.
“I know Lilibeth appreciates how welcome they’ve all felt.”
Mom smiled and reached out to pet Moose, who was now sitting next to her. “Her name always makes me think of your great-grandmother, Lileth. I miss her something fierce.”
“The few memories I have of her are all happy ones, and most of them have to do with horses.”
We both laughed.
“She was a wonderful woman. You remind me so much of her, Emeline.”
I leaned over and reached for my mother’s hand, giving it a light squeeze.
“I’m sorry I got distracted with tangents for a moment. Why were you bringing up Lilibeth and the store?” Mom asked, clearly not wanting to remain on the subject of my great-grandmother. They were very close. My father said Lileth and my grandmother, Nellie, loved teaching my mom how to ride a horse. Lileth was still riding horses well into her 90s, and almost right up until the day she passed.