Riding becomes a ritual. Tugging on your worn, fit-to-foot boots you grab the halter and head to the pasture where your equine friend is nodding his head at you in welcome & stomping his foot in his anticipation of the ride. You slip the halter on and head to the hitching post. The slip knot is old hat; you could do it in your sleep; it’s ritual. Then the curry comb, brush, hoof pick, comb…they could practically do the grooming by themselves. The blanket, saddle, they fit perfectly to the curve of his back & the bit, well, he knows what to do with it. Head bent, he accepts it & the reins go flying over his neck. All’s ready for the ride.

You’ve been riding since your were a kid, so even the sweet nothings, murmurs & kisses you drop on the top of his muzzle, you do by rote after your years of companionship. It’s just you & your horse. He knows your mannerisms & you his. You communicate in whispers & whinnies, in nudges of the muzzle & caresses of your hand.  And he doesn’t turn away when you kiss him. He doesn’t get tired of your attention or tired of customary greetings & he loves ritual. Your rituals.

But some rides are different. Some rides aren’t simply ritual. Some rides are monumental, even if the rituals of the ride are the same. Sunday’s ride was more than a ritual for Kim & her kids. Sunday’s ride was one to enjoy, as if it were the last. Kim brushed & curried Bo with the help of her kids. They put the saddle on him & Paige’s pony & tightened up the cinches. Gavin jumped up and down, up and down: SO excited to be on top of HIS horse, Bo. Gavin knew the rituals, but today was different. It had been a while since Kim had dared to ride her horse, but this ride Kim was determined would happen. It would be a ride for her, a ride for her & Bo, a ride for her & her kids, a ride to remember. So once she was in the saddle, Kim smiled through the pain. Smiled because this was a ritual she loves. ” This makes me miss it even more!” she said. As a young girl Kim had a ritual of riding every day, but as surgery after surgery took it’s toll on her body, her rides have become few & far between. This week she flew to John Hopkins for a knee surgery which will be followed by yet another trip back east in a few weeks for the most extensive back surgery she’s had to date. Heaven forbid her doctors ever found out she rode Bo on Sunday, but Kim was determined she was going to have this ride, knowing riding is going to be one of those things that after this next surgery will most definitely make her doctor’s brows furrow. Deep.

So Sunday, before she flew out to Baltimore, Kim & her kids enjoyed a ride, as if it were her last…

The Gibler Family decided on a fotosession in Lake Oswego, Oregon at the univeristy where Bryan completed his masters degree. Marylhurst University was decked-out for the holidays! Heavy wreaths hung overtop and on either side of the main enterance. Festive banners lined the long, dramatic walkway. The family was likewise festively dressed for the occasion. Everyone was trimmed in a classy array of red, black, or grey. I was swooning over the sweaters: expecially the littlest red one Soren wore which was handknitted with love in every stitch (or whatever they’re called in knitting!?). And then there is Bruce’s hat–perfect!!! But most of all–it was about their spirit which shone as I captured their family spending a quite afternoon–together. Gibler Family, thank you for giving me a special appreciation for family, spirit & togetherness during your fotosession.

& to everyone else: Happy Holidays!

to view slideshow.

I can’t even tell you how many times Nick has watched

our familyNovella tonight–always smiling from ear to ear.

Myla says she can’t wait until we have family pictures again…

“as long as Shannon does them, she’s the best”.

~ Lenaya