My tribute to a courageous friend

I lost a good friend ... but I have so many memories to reflect on to help fill the void I am suddenly feeling.

This friend was courageous, honest, caring and made many sacrifices to the very end, especially when it came to her family.

Julia reflected the epitome of a person with true character when it came to integrity - doing the right thing. We remembered her this afternoon (Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009) in a memorial service.

She was a horse enthusiast of incredible ability, running a riding and training stable for many years. Her equestrian fetes included competing in hunter jumper events, training young horses and young horseback competitors to be the best they could be.

We became friends in the mid 1990s, judging the equestrian division in local parades for several years. That friendship became stronger as we rode together on local spring and fall cattle roundups.

Although I have also been an equestrian competitor myself, Julia taught me things about riding that gave me some real insight into what it takes to make a great horse.

Julia, although having bravely battled a major bout with cancer, bounced back to ride horses and mules again even though doctors said she would probably never walk.

She was a fighter who didn't give up, outlasting only a few who survived similar surgeries to live beyond expectations as she continued to fulfill her passions. They said she might live for 5 years, but she proved them wrong, she went for another 15. Just like she did in the arena, when dumped into the dirt, Julia got back in the saddle.

It's amazing to watch someone who truly cares about all the things to stand for including those that are admirable, honorable and just.

She took up quilting during the last few years of her life and created some incredible items for family and friends as well as wall decor for her own home.

Julia took on a challenge as if there were no tomorrow, diving in with everything had and using her own resources and talent, even carving leather gifts at Christmas time and for special occasions.

We all lose family and friends eventually and we too will someday leave this life.

Julia had great faith. She believed in the power of prayer. She sent me dozes and dozens of e-mails that contained profound spiritual uplifts.

I guess the one single picture of her that will stick in my mind forever is a snapshot I took of her sitting atop her mule, Sadie, out on the Nevada desert. Donning her straw, Montana-crowned, western hat, a teal-colored neckerchief and attractive western vest, she and that thoroughbred mule Sadie were a match worth aspiring to.

She rode that mule with as much class as the two always looked ready to round up the herd, whether it was on the desert, in the mountains or down in the valley.

I remember the day I asked her for some help with my horse and she said "you have to feel the animal beneath you. You're not really riding until you can do that blindfolded."

So that's what I did. She had me get on the horse in the round pen and kick my feet out of the stirrups, drop the reins and close my eyes as I put the horse through his paces. Around and around that pen we went to the sound of classical music. The music alone, gave me goose bumps as I mastered a sense of true balance. At first I felt dizzy, but that left as confidence and trust kicked in. The next lesson was riding the animal in a huge arena at different speeds, lope, canter, and full gallop. Those lessons alone did so much in connecting me and my horse than anything I've ever done with the animal.

Thanks to my friend, the horse could just about do it all.

I lost a good friend, but she left me with some great memories, great photographs and worthwhile thoughts to consider about life and living it.