Heaven's Light By Anna Elizabeth Johnson Red, orange, golden clouds, Ablaze in Heaven’s glory, Wrapped in her majestic light And all her robes of splendor. Pulsing, pulsing, bright with light, Glowing, shining, still Never ceasing, always blinding Till the day is through. The ever slowly sinking queen, The light God gave to us, Beams bright with light, her fire ‘round her, Reflecting Heaven’s glory. Now, as the cape of evening wraps around All the blessed creatures, They proclaim the saving death Of our risen King. For as slumber embraces life The beautiful sky reminds us, That there’s still hope for everyone, God’s love is all around us. But still, before night is born, the clouds, they linger still, Fading, fading, yet forever radiating, "God’s blood is shed for us!" Now, the graceful, glowing queen Slowly kisses the world goodbye, Yet hope never leaves, for tomorrow will dawn, Cheerful, bright with light.

Maybe it was seeing the horse for the first time. Maybe it was feeling his gentle movement beneath me. Maybe it was the volunteers’ smiles. Whatever it was, on that summer day, when my four-year-old self started riding lessons, something was sparked inside me. Something lit in me a flame of compassion which drives me towards providing a better future for people with disabilities. My first experience with horses was when I was a preschooler. Since I was born prematurely, my parents were looking at numerous therapeutic options for my physical, mental, and emotional development. HorsePower, a therapeutic riding center in Highpoint, North Carolina, offered just that. While the movement of the horse helped my physical development, it was the volunteers, helping in each riding class, who strengthened me emotionally and mentally. The side-walkers were responsible for walking beside the rider during the class and assisting with their needs. Whether I knew it or not, it was their smiles that encouraged me whenever I felt frustrated. It was the side-walkers’ advice and faithful appearance week after week that inspired in me a deep respect and awe for the work they did. Meanwhile, the horse leaders, who handled the horses in the tack area and arena, gave me the opportunity to connect with my horse safely and foster a deep relationship with my equine partner. It was these early connections with the volunteers that sparked in me a fire for providing that same care they showed to me towards other riders, and I now volunteer as a side-walker, horse leader, and barn assistant at HorsePower. As I became older and my experience with horses grew, I began to understand the healing power of an equine-human partnership. As numerous volunteer opportunities opened up to me, I knew I wanted to give riders with disabilities the same inspiration that my volunteers had given me. When I serve as a side-walker, I focus on giving the riders encouraging words, reassuring smiles, and riding advice, all while simply accepting who they are. I try to give each rider all of my energy and enthusiasm, no matter how much physical and emotional support they need and no matter how tired I am. As a horse leader, meanwhile, my focus shifts towards the equine partner. Grooming the horse thoroughly before class while speaking gently to him builds trust between the horse leader and the horse himself. This trust provides the rider with a safe, healing ride. Because I experienced this healing power of horses, I pour all my attention into building a loving, respectful relationship with my equine friend. So, what have I learned about myself through volunteering at HorsePower? I have learned that everything I say and do matters. Every person matters, both those faithful volunteers who show up week after week, and the riders and their families. Sure, I might not receive any visible sign of gratitude from the riders I support, especially if they are non-verbal or have autism, but just like I was impacted forever by the volunteers who supported me, I know that I am impacting the riders’ lives and futures. I have found in myself a quiet strength and perseverance that sees the beauty of every person. I am determined to use these qualities not just at HorsePower but in the larger world as well. I hope to be an Occupational Therapist in the future, helping people just as I do now at HorsePower. It was the relationship I had with the volunteers who helped me—and my own work as a volunteer¬¬—that shaped who I am today.