Celebrating Rene Townsend: Author & Friend

Hi readers! I’m thrilled to celebrate my faithful friend and author, Rene Townsend, and share some of her work today. It’s from her marvelous, endearing book, Mini Horses, Mighty Hearts: Rootbeer & Edward, that shows two therapy horses interacting with each other and with human beings, too.

You might remember my post about Rene and her unique, imaginative book when it was first published. To read that, click here.

This book is aimed for ages 7 – 12, but believe me, we adults need its message, too.

How I know Rene

I met Rene on a trip to Cuba. My husband, Hoyt, and I traveled there in 2013 with an educational group, and it turned out Rene was also on that trip. We had a sweet connection right away and have continued our friendship over the years despite living on opposite sides of the country. She was instrumental in providing generous, thoughtful and solid feedback on the manuscript for Undertow, on every post I wrote for The Florida Writers Association blog for three years, AND after that on my manuscript, From the Porch to the Page. She is the kind of writer-pal who goes the extra mile for me no matter how busy she is. How lucky I am!

After Undertow was published, I asked her to be my accountability coach for my writing/reading life as I wrote my second book, which meant I sent her “Nudge Reports” every week just to read, not to comment on unless she wanted to. These days, we continue that habit—a lovely connection I cherish from the bottom of my heart. Before Rene published Mini Horses, Mighty Hearts, I had the honor of helping her with some feedback on her manuscript, too.

You can order your copy of Rene’s lovable book on Amazon here.

Rene’s bio

From the book’s cover: Rene was a school teacher, principal, district superintendent, university lecturer, partner in a superintendent search firm, and education outreach director for Central America through a San Diego charity. Her passion for education continues with this book about the adventures of Rootbeer & Edward, smile ambassadors who live a life of learning, playing and serving others and who, every day, make Rene laugh.

NOTE: For this post, a few subtitles are inserted in the text. It’s a chapter from Mini Horses, Mighty Hearts: Rootbeer and Edward. Rene Townsend, author. Gina Dodge, illustrator. O’Bark Press. 2019.

Rootbeer & Edward’s First Therapy “Job”

Surprisingly, our first “job” didn’t require a trailer ride.

“Each job will be special, of course,” Lilly told us. “But we have a unique opportunity right here at our ranch.”

We were as happy as she was that our first job would be at our own place where we’re comfortable.

Lilly sounded wistful as she told us the circumstances. “A lovely, sweet four-year old girl named Tori is coming here to fulfill her wish of petting a horse. She is very, very sick, even more than you were, Edward. You two and gigantic Nico will allow her to fulfill this most cherished wish.”

“Gosh, that’s really awful,” Edward said. “We will make sure she gets her wish.”

I nodded. “Listen please, Edward. Lilly is whispering and explaining why this is extra special.”

“This may sound simple, but Tori can’t move,” Lilly continued softly. “She will be lying down all the time because she can’t move her arms or legs. She has a tube that gives her water, another tube for food, and a third tube to help her breathe. It’s critical that we don’t disturb any of the equipment helping her live. We need to be extra gentle and quiet.”

“Did you hear that, Edward?” I asked.

“Remember when I was sick not too long ago?” Edward responded. “I wanted everyone to be quiet and gentle. Being sick is awful, and I know just what to do. But you’ve been a little nervous lately. Will you be okay?”

“I’ll be fine. I know how serious and important this job is. I wanted to be with you and help you in the hospital, but I couldn’t. This is our chance to help a sick girl, so don’t worry about me.”

Going to Meet Tori

“The three of us will walk down to the large open space near the bridge entrance,” Lilly said. “There’s enough room for you three horses and lots of other people.”

“We’ll need a big space if Nico is part of this,” Edward said. “He’s a giant! In fact, I could walk under him.”

“I thought of that too,” I said. “Wouldn’t that be fun? Nico is so sweet he’d probably let us do that, but I doubt any of the humans would.”

“Why do you think they have Tori meeting big Nico and us little guys?”

“That’s a great question,” I said, considering the possibilities. “Maybe petting a giant horse and then us minis would be extra special for Tori.”

“I’m excited to meet her, Rootbeer. We won’t do anything to scare her or anyone with her.”

As we walked to the meeting area, giant, white Nico was easy to spot among the crowd of people. He stood proudly, as regal and handsome as ever.

I saw a glint of metal ahead and said to Edward, “See all the poles with tubes? Lilly wasn’t exaggerating. I bet Tori is in the middle of them. She must be really sick.”

“You’re right,” Edward said. “You didn’t see me in the hospital, but I had tubes stuck into me, and there were bags of stuff on poles that dripped liquid into me.”

He spotted Tori and said, “Oh look! Tori has beautiful black hair like I do. I wonder who all the others around her are.”

Meeting Nico

As we approached, Lilly was introduced to Tori’s mom, dad, sister, relatives, and friends who had come to be with Tori and see her wish come true. Then Lilly, Tori’s parents, and Nico’s person, discussed the best approach for Tori. Nico’s person suggested that Tori pet his big horse first and then pet us “little guys” next. Tori’s parents liked that plan.

“I’m glad Nico is going first, Edward. We can watch carefully and learn what to do.”

That’s just what we did. We looked at this sweet girl and understood why everyone talked about how lovely she was.

“She’s like a princess dressed in a lacy white dress, with long black hair, and long, long eyelashes—longer than the alpacas.” Edward said in a soft voice. “All those tubes remind me too much of the hospital. I hope her doctors help her get well like mine did.”

“Me too, little brother,” I said. “It’s scary that Tori needs those tubes to live.”

“Yes, but Rootbeer, all the tubes and dripping stuff made me better, so maybe these will do the same for her.”

Tori’s mom and dad said they could unhook her tubes long enough to lift her up to reach Nico’s neck. Like us, Nico knew Tori was very ill, and even though his person held his halter and lead rope, he stood absolutely still. Tori’s mom held her up and raised her arm, rubbing it on Nico’s neck.

“Listen to everyone praising Nico. Now we know exactly what to do when it’s our turn,” Edward whispered.

When Tori’s parents put her back down, they hooked up all the tubes again and turned her head toward us.

Our Turn

“Gentlemen, please take a little step forward so Tori can see you,” Lilly said. We did as she asked. “Good. Now take one more step.”

When we were about two feet from Tori, she said, “Let’s stop here for now.”

Lilly asked Tori’s sister, who was only one year older, “Would you like to hold one of the mini’s lead ropes?”

There was an outstretched hand and a huge smile. Her eyes shined happily as Lilly handed her Edward’s lead rope.

“That was a good idea,” Edward said. “I think she was feeling left out because Tori gets all the attention. Tori is sick, but her sister is also a little girl, and she wants to be part of this, too. Don’t worry, Rootbeer. I’ll be as still as Nico was and make it fun for her sister.”

“Edward,” I said, “Lilly asked us to stop, but if you stay where you are, I think I can get closer to Tori. I think she’d like it. I want to show her how much we like her and want her to get better.”

I took a half step forward and paused. When no one stopped me, I took another little step, then another, and then I was right near Tori’s head. I stood there quietly, and when no one said anything, I reached out very carefully and put the softest part of my nose on Tori’s forehead. I left it there without moving and stayed like that for a while. No one, not a horse or a person, moved.

It was a kiss from Edward and me.

When I stepped back, Edward nickered softly. “That was just right. See, everyone is smiling, especially Tori’s mom and dad. But look, they’re doing that weird happy–sad thing that people do. They smile and wipe tears from their eyes at the same time.

Making a Wish Come True

Just then, Tori’s sister leaned down and kissed Edward on his nose. “I got a kiss too,” he beamed.

“I am so proud of you two!” Lilly kissed and scratched us both.

As they got ready to go home, Tori’s mom and dad thanked Lilly and Nico’s person over and over again, saying how happy we’d made Tori, her friends, and her family.

“Your horses made her wish come true,” her mom said. “Tori got to be with not only one, but three horses!”

Edward nudged me, “Since Tori can’t move, how does her mom know she’s happy?”

As if she’d read our minds, Tori’s mom said to Lilly, “Tori can still move her eyes and eyelids. She opens and closes her eyes to let us know how she feels. When she blinks fast, she’s happy. She was blinking like crazy, so she is totally delighted!”

That made people do their happy–sad, smile–cry thing all over again.

Tori’s sister came back over to Edward, stroked his back, rubbed his ears, and told him how much she loved him. The whole family came to pet us and thank us.

“Edward, Rootbeer, and Nico are the best horses in the whole world,” Tori’s sister announced to everyone. “They are the smartest and most handsome, too!”

“It was nice that everyone thanked and appreciated us, wasn’t it?” Edward said. “And, I liked what Tori’s sister said at the end, making everyone smile. Besides, what she said is true—we are smart, and handsome too if I do say so myself.

“You know the best part? Tori has her own special way to show she is happy. I’ll bet Nico feels the same as we do. Big and little horses making a little girl happy—how cool is that?”

Answering his own question, Edward said, “All of it was cool. I think your kiss made Tori the happiest.”

After everyone hugged and said goodbye, Lilly couldn’t stop talking as she walked us back to our corral.

“You were so careful with Tori, Rootbeer. That kiss you gave her on her forehead was the best gift ever. I don’t know how you knew to do that, but you did. It was a magical moment. I could not be prouder of you two and Nico.” Lilly paused, taking a white tissue from her pocket and dabbing her eyes.

“The three of you knew just what to do and granted Tori her wish. You were kind to everyone there. Edward, Tori’s sister loved holding your lead rope. It made the day special for her too.”

In the corral, Lilly removed our halters. “You seem to understand exactly what people need. There’s no question that you’ll do excellent work everywhere you go.”

She scratched our favorite spots and gave us more carrots than ever. Helping such a sweet little girl was not hard work and felt important. We were so happy we really didn’t need carrot treats, but we ate them just the same.

Connecting

Edward was quiet all afternoon, and I took a long nap.

That evening, Lilly came to the barn carrying a chair. First, she led Kiefer to one corral and then put us in another corral next to him. She sat on the chair between our corrals looking at the three of us.

“What’s she doing, Rootbeer?”

“I’m not sure. Thinking? Oh dear, are those tears in her eyes?” I asked.

Edward stopped nipping at my neck and looked at Lilly. “Oh no!” he said.

“I need to tell you guys something,” Lilly said.

We held our breath.

“I thought doing the work of bringing smiles would be good for you and the people we see. But you know what? It touches me too. We’re connecting to other beings and to each other. This is more than just fun. It’s important. You touch my heart, and you’ll touch others’ hearts the same way. I feel so fortunate to have you in my life. Thank you.”

After that, she sat back in her chair. She was quiet and wrote in a book she’d brought with her, filling what looked like empty pages. Gradually, it got darker and darker.

Lilly looked up from her notebook and said, “I better take you and Kiefer back to your corrals for the night while we still have a little light. There are extra carrots waiting for you and your big brother Kiefer as my thank you for being so special and sharing your unique gifts with others and with me.”

As we munched our hay and carrots, feeling content, Kiefer called over to us.

“I appreciate getting carrots for your good work. Thanks! I wonder where you’ll go for your first away visit.”

—END—

Thanks for reading!

Until next time, best wishes from your writer on the wing,

Charlene