A Fond Memory from long ago came to mind recently. It was a fine fall day in the Cariboo, a beautiful region in the interior of British Columbia, Canada, dotted with lakes, cattle ranches and forests. My wife and I were out for a walk when we came upon two horses standing placid in the sun.

One of the horses looked around and stared at us, uncaring and indifferent. The other presented only his rear to us as he grazed here and there on some nearby grass.

As we came closer, the one who had condescended to look at us turned, and moved leisurely away, the other following just behind.  It looked as if there was not to be a meeting between the two of them and the two of us, as if man and beast were separate and apart, standing on either side of a wall of ignorance and distrust, so long maintained as to appear normal.

But oh my, how lovely that setting was. The trees still gaily danced and sang in the magic of Indian summer. The lake shimmered as if it was July, its smooth surface unmarked, unruffled save where a muskrat swam slowly toward the shore.

I called out to the horses as they ambled away and they stopped, and turned back, and approached us as my wife made friendly calls to them. Presently we were patting them and stroking their necks and telling them how beautiful they were.

They posed serenely for a picture and the wall came down and it all came together: We were parts of one perfect creation.

Editor’s note: My love to you. If you have a Fond memory of your own you’d like to share, please do write.