In Memory of Jazz
“Jazz”
April 1978-November 2006
His Hoofbeats will be forever in our hearts
Sometimes the world will bring something so special into our lives that when we think of that special something it brings a warm smile to our heart and a smile on our face. When their name is whispered, mentioned, or overheard in a conversation we can’t help but smile but our eyes will dampen at the same time. In time our smile will win out over the tears, and the memories will remain.
Jazz, Marilyn’s Jazz, who loved life to the fullest and who generously gave his last years to our riders has passed on. It seems like he had been with us forever, he gave he best to life, his best to Marilyn, and he was generous to give his best to our riders, our Volunteers and anyone else that he met in his path, and he did it with pride and gentleness. It is hard to think he will no longer be anxiously walking down the riding arena to meet his rider; it is hard to accept he is no longer with us.
Jazz was 28 yrs old at the time of his passing, of those 28 years Marilyn and him have been together for 25 of them. This morning at the stable, Joan, one of our Wednesday Volunteer couldn’t have said it truer when she said, “Jazz and Marilyn grew up together”. When you think of it, she is right, they did. Marilyn and Jazz spent many working hours together, many playing hours together, and then they just spent time together. They knew each other just as old friends would, sharing special times that only the two of them would know about. Many people may not quite understand this, but if you ever watched Jazz when Marilyn walked into the arena you would know exactly what I mean. Many times Marilyn would come out to visit our class on Saturday where Jazz would be helping us out. As soon as Marilyn would walk out in the arena area you could see Jazz ears perk right up, he knew she was there. He would hear her voice and he would stop in his track, and look directly at her. He looked like a young school boy infatuated with his first love in grade three, he adored her, and she him. His step would then be a little quicker and his tail would be a little higher. Such a friendship is so beautiful to witness and so rare at the same time.
Marilyn, all of us here at OG and at the stables will be thinking of you and of Jazz. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Yvonne
Many of you know Jazz, but for the Thursday riders, parents and Volunteers I would like to mention that Jazz was one of our precious horses that helped make this program what it is. Marilyn is his owner and the both of them have volunteered for our program Wednesday mornings and Jazz was with us on Saturdays. My wish for Jazz is that he is in a place where he can run and play, where the world wakes up with the warmth of the sunrise on his face and where the treats are endless! Marilyn, Jazz has left us many memories and smiles, we will never forget him.
Today Marilyn showed us some beautiful pictures of Jazz in his younger days; it was so nice to see them. He looked the same then as he did now, beautiful, strong, gentle, athletic, and agile. Age was never a factor with Jazz, he enjoyed his life and he carried himself with pride in all he did. He will forever young in our hearts.
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