(06/03/09) Lakeshore Lutheran Outreach

6/3/09 Lakeshore Outreach in Duluth MN

Kathi ‘s first words when she arrived, “ Am I late or something?” Gramma Carole, Betty W., I, and a resident, Berta, were all standing outside waiting and……. OH just a small crowd of residents and staff too were anxiously waiting for Magic. It was early but the anticipation was just too high.

An example of this anticipation was Berta. She purposely decided to eat in the restaurant which has a big picture window that looks out over the driveway. She said, “I am keeping a watch for Magic.” When she saw us and read our t-shirts, Berta walked with us all the way to the driveway to wait for Kathi and Magic to arrive. When Kathi arrived and parked, Berta kept saying to us,” I want to see the horse. What is taking her so long?” The second Magic came out of the trailer, Berta got this big grin, started petting Magic, saying, “You are so precious.” and then asked Magic, “Why did you wait so long to see me?” As we went further down the walkway, more people stopped us.

Our first stop in this huge complex was a visit to the Memory Loss Unit. The disbelief, “Where did you get this?” and then the big smiles on the residents’ faces were a joy to see. They had to be reassured that yes it was a horse, a small one, but a horse. “Can I ride her?” “I hope it doesn’t kiss me?”Staff piled in from everywhere to get a look at Magic. “I gotta see this.” Magic got in her zone quickly. She stood as long as it took for the patients to pet her. She stood in front of some longer than others depending on the mood of the person which she reads so well. One man did not want to touch Magic “because horses kick. I have been kicked at but they missed me each time.”

Bob, a resident with a wonderful sense of humor, kept us all laughing the whole time. When he first saw Magic, he reached for his handkerchief. He said, “These are tears of joy.”He wanted to keep Magic but then he changed his mind and pointed to the girl beside Magic, (Kathi) and decided to keep her instead. He made sure I took down his phone number so Kathi could give him a call. Kathi got a hoot out of that. I told Bob Kathi already had a cowboy at home.

One resident had a long talk with us about her horse Ladybug. She was so surprised when her father brought Ladybug home. She described her love for the horse that just brought tears. She kept saying how Ladybug was a miracle for her. She took it hard when Ladybug passed. She says she can’t remember where they buried Ladybug and maybe does not want to remember. Gramma Carole said, “Ladybug is in your heart.” She smiled at that.

Another woman was just in awe of Magic. Magic stayed so long with her. She was so appreciative of Magic. She liked Magic’s shades of color. “This is like a fairy tale. It is hard to believe a horse is that small.”

One resident said, “This is the best Christmas present ever, a horse named Magic.”

Kathi had Magic’s bushy forelock divided into 2 lops of hair with hair bands. These people loved her that way. So many grabbed one or both of her lops of hair and played with them. Kathi had so much fun teasing the residents about this. They got Kathi back with, “Magic looks like Pebbles from the Flintstones.”

“Are you sure that big hook on the lead rope isn’t too heavy for her?” and “Having a horse like that is a treat.” was heard.

Another resident on this unit stood behind me the whole time I was near Magic, 30 minutes. I was happy to hear from Gramma Carole that he finally felt safe enough to pet Magic.

Magic had gotten a muffin just out of the oven but it was too hot for her so it was put in her bucket but Kathi’s muffin was just right for her.

As Betty W. and I left the unit, regretfully, to go to another part of the building to give a power point presentation to 80+ residents, Kathi and Gramma Carole decided to stay with this first group because they were enjoying Magic so much. As I looked back, Carole was laughing with Bob and Kathi was sitting cross legged on the floor and Magic was in her peaceful zone being petted, loved, caressed, and scratched. The staff and residents had made us all feel so relaxed and at home.

Again Kathi is sooooo patient. We were told that this first group might ask the same questions many times. They did but Kathi answered every time. Kathi has such compassion and respect for this generation of folks. She brings such calm with her. The residents just love her. Gramma Carole and I have learned to recognize when she is getting ready to joke with the residents. She gets this twinkle in her eye and a big smile on her face. She laughs at her own jokes which are pretty funny.

One resident could not believe that Magic was not as mannerly back at the ranch. When Kathi was asked how Magic ruled on the ranch, Kathi replied, “She keeps the other horses in line by kicking them in the shins.” Gramma Carole and I laughed so hard.

This other group was in a big room called the Chapel. People and visitors kept piling in. Every one of the 80 chairs was filled and then some stood out in the hall. The staff thought we would need another room but people squeezed in. The staff could not believe the attendance. I heard one man say he had seen our little poster on the bulletin board. Another said you couldn’t miss the big poster at the entrance to the restaurant.

Many of the people in the audience had followed WindChill’s story. As I did the presentation, many took out hankies to wipe their eyes. One family had even visited WindChill out at the ranch. Her father had been in the REHAB part of Lakeshore but was discharged the day before we were visiting. He came back today with his daughter, and grandson just to see what is happening in WindChill’s name. He talked about how anyone who visited WindChill could see and feel his specialness. They were very pleased with what we are doing. The father remarked, “It is amazing how much is being done because of him. His spirit is doing so much to help other horses.”

When my presentation was almost over, Betty W. went to the other unit to tell Gramma Carole and Kathi and Magic that we were ready for them to visit this large group.

Berta, asked so many good questions. She was a spokesperson for a small group of women sitting by her. She had been a zoo docent and her love of animals was very evident.

Kathi had to go around twice. Ann, the activity director, just kept saying over and over again, “This is so great. Look at the interaction. This is so great.”

There were a few people who had lived on farms. One man said he had owned a farm and built a fine wooden barn for his horses. He did not like these modern metal barns.

Once again Kathi was asked in the big group if Magic was this nice on the ranch with the other 21 horses. Kathi said no. She is a typical horse on the ranch. I said Magic kicks up her heels and runs with her mane and tail flowing. A staff member from the other unit who was watching piped in with, “Oh and she keeps the other horses in line by kicking them in the shins.” A resident remarked, “I didn’t know horses had shins. Thanks for the anatomy lesson.” Gramma Carole and I laughed even harder.

The residents brought up the fact that Magic was in the chapel and it was a great joke that a horse was in the church with them. They could not wait to tell Father on his next visit. “Wait till Father hears this.” “He would just bless little Magic.”

Polly came by to visit. Her parent s live in Lakeshore. They were right in the front row listening to the presentation. They were proud of their daughter’s work with The WindChill Legacy and her big heart.

Another husband and wife couple talked about their 4 grandchildren. One of their granddaughters was having a birthday party. Gramma Carole and I gave them magnets, pencils, stickers, and brochures for all the kids. They thanked me for “the really something special “they could give the grandkids.

As we were winding down our visit, more people came in, “Oh good I just got back in time to see the horse. I timed it just right.” Kathi graciously let all these people pet Magic. One of these was a mother and her 2 children who were visiting a family member at Lakeshore. Her son clung to Magic. He gave her so many hugs I lost count. While he was hugging her he sang her a song. Others wanted to pet Magic too but in between he always came back to hug her when she was open.

His mother told me how her son had a hard time reading but with the help of a dog in the classroom who he read to he learned to read. She could see Magic helping children like her son. She asked if we could come to his school. I said sure. Well it is a ways from here she said. I told her we went all the way to Minong and Farmington. She laughed. They were visiting from Carson City, Missouri. She made me take down her address and phone number and her son’s school too. (Lee’s Summit Elementary) if we ever get down that way. She was serious. This same little boy told everyone to touch Magic’s star for good luck and then go by a Lotto ticket.

The activity director asked if Magic could have an apple to eat. We warned her about the mess that could happen on carpeting, in a chapel. She went ahead anyways. Well Magic did make a mess on the floor. It was an apple saliva slobber mess. She just salivates when she gets an apple. Again it is pure entertainment for those around her to watch this.

The staff was telling us how the janitor on duty that day was grumbling all morning about a horse coming into his building and he how inevitably he would have to clean it up. A joke was in the making. Kathi did not want to give anyone the wrong impression and ruin Magic’s record. Gramma Carole piped in that the BUCKET BRIGADE HAS NEVER BEEN CALLED INTO ACTION YET. The activity director said they had to do it, “It is not nice to play a joke on him but when he goes around all day telling everyone how worried he is about having a horse here, you just have to do it.” We did not stick around but I will be sure to get the story of what happened.

Another resident said he was called into the service and when he came back he decided to live in the city with his wife. He regretted that move to this day. He talked about his horses with compassion and reverence. “That is an awfully nice mini horse.” he said. He was one of the last ones to leave. He just stood and watched her after petting her twice and laughing at the apple slobber.

While Magic was eating her cut up apple, Kathi had to tell the kneeling boy that he needed to stand up or else Magic would think he was trying to steal her food. The boy understood. Later on he repeated it to his sister, “You have to be taller than Magic when she is eating.”

Later on after Magic was done eating, his sister sat on the floor touching Magic‘s hoof. Kathi said it was ok and was watching her closely.

Finally as we were heading out the door, the little boy and his sister ran after us. They had an 8 pack of juice boxes and wanted to share one with Magic. Kathi took the juice box for later.

We were asked to come back to Lakeshore for an evening Picnic Festival. Kathi told the activity director yes. Kathi proudly told her about our Legacy tables, our crafts, and fun things that we do. The activity director was impressed but kept repeating, “You will bring Magic won’t you.” We assured her we would.