Spirit of Hope Youth Ranch

It was a beautiful spring morning the week before Easter.  The air was cool and the warmth of the sun made for a perfect day to be outside with our horses and some youth who were living in a group home.  While these kids are well cared for, it is a treat for them to be outside in the brisk air and warm sunshine.  For the kids, it had been a rough week and they needed the see the bright green grass and the clear blue sky that day.  They needed to be able to love on our horses….to groom them and talk to them.  And, they needed the positive attention they received from our volunteers.  Showing genuine respect and interest in their lives lifts their spirits.  The kids are “normal” when they are with us – kind and at ease.  They were loving and gentle to our horses and each other.  There was laughter…no tension…as we played silly Easter-themed games.  They will look back on their time with our horses and smile…just as I do.