Mercy Came A Runnin'

8.

I'm going to take a break from the story for this chapter and just try to help you explain what Mercy meant to me.

I have extremely bad anxiety issues. She helped me learn to stop my panic attacks. Before every run I'd stop and talk to her. I'd tell her,"It's just you and me girl. Nothing else matters. Let's do what we do." Doing this helped us perform better. The anxiety was no longer an issue.

During all of my hard times, including the problems with my Papa, the death of my dogs (Luke, Gee and Jaxon), and even minor things like fights with my boyfriend or parents, Mercy was my shoulder to cry on. She was always gentle and kind and she is what got me through it all.

Mercy is who gave me a taste of what being a good rider was like. She gave me a taste of being disappointed in myself, and proud of myself. She taught me how to deal with these emotions. How to be a better person.

Not only did she do things for me, but just who she was, that is what made her so great. She knew when she had done well at a barrel race. She would prance all the way back to the trailer. When she did bad, she knew it then too, as she would lower her head and seemingly pout as we walked back. She had so much personality, it will never cease to amaze me.

When I sold Coco, I sold him to a young girl who wanted to learn to ride. She was local and we saw him around. Mercy was always so excited when she saw him. It warmed my heart.

Mercy was my world. My heart and soul. She meant just about everything.