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Back The Lighthouse Save as PDF
Chapters (50)
  1. PART ONE
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. PART TWO
  13. 12
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 18
  18. 19
  19. 21
  20. 22
  21. 23
  22. 24
  23. 25
  24. 26
  25. 27
  26. 28
  27. 30
  28. 31
  29. 32
  30. 33
  31. 34
  32. 35
  33. 36
  34. 37
  35. 38
  36. 39
  37. 40
  38. 41
  39. 42
  40. 43
  41. PART THREE
  42. 44
  43. 45
  44. 46
  45. 47
  46. 49
  47. 50
  48. 51
  49. 52
  50. EPILOGUE

Our business comes alive too. The season kicks off in early March and runs strong through to Christmas. From young schoolchildren learning to ride in the arena, to the large groups who come to experience the forest trails, a day here rarely sees a quiet moment. And that’s just the way I like it. In the afternoons, once it’s warm enough, I’ll throw open a window and sit in my favorite chair, just so I can be a part of what’s going on outside. Whether it’s the rapturous laughter of a budding rider who’s just climbed into the saddle for the first time, or the adorable giggles of a honeymooning couple heading off on a sunset trek, these small delights warm the soul and make this old woman incredibly happy. I only wish I was able to share in that same joy again, the kind one can get only from being on the back of a horse.

Regrettably, my riding days are far behind me. These eyes of mine have seen many a springtime—ninety-two and counting—and I confess there are moments when I wonder how many I have left. But if you think I am frightened of what’s to come, you would be mistaken. I have lived a great life, one blessed with good health, a beautiful home, and a loving family that continues to grow. That’s not to say I haven’t experienced my fair share of heartache, because I have, and I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes my life has ventured down paths I rather wish it hadn’t, but more often than not I feel like good fortune has shone down on my little corner of the world, and for that I’ll always be grateful. My family, my dear friends, and the wonderful animals with whom I share my home—these are what keep this old lady content. Even in my lonelier moments, when I have only my thoughts and I begin to contemplate what may come next, I am comforted by the memories of a life well lived.

And in the end, what more could anyone want?

•••

For some, their twilight years are a chance to put their feet up and relax, but that was never the case for me. Whether it’s fundraising for the elementary school or volunteering each Christmas at the local shelter, I have always stayed active in the community, always tried to give something back. Which is what makes today a very special day indeed. You see, a humble little project of mine—or a “preposterous longshot” as the Beacon once called it—has finally reached ­completion. After eight long years, the hard work of myself, and countless others, is at last ready to be unveiled to the town.