Neighborly Love

Today I was thinking about the kindness Nick shows to everyone regardless of their past history and track record. The way he lives in the present moment is truly beautiful. It brought me back to one of the family's favorite "Nick stories" (there are so many of them) and I just had to share it on the blog.

 Every year for the 4th of July we spend time at my Uncle's house on a lake. Many of their friends and neighbors come for the water sports, food, but best of all fireworks. Over the years, Nick has gotten to know several of the regular attendees. So, he is very aware when certain neighbors are not present. He hates to have anyone miss out on fun.

This year the neighbors across the street could not make the party. Nick took it upon himself to wiggle his way into my Uncle's expensive wine cabinet and hand pick a bottle of wine he thought would be to the absent neighbors liking. Not only did he discreetly take it upon himself to deliver the bottle, he also found a way into their house (to this day I'm not sure how). He left the bottle on the table with a note that said,  "4th of July 2014. love Nick O.". 

Come to find out, this was not the first time something like this had happened. The neighbors told my Aunt and Uncle to thank Nick for yet another great bottle of wine. I wish I could have seen the look on family's face when they found out this was actually round 2. 

Nick is more socially aware than most "typical" 24 year old men I know. He never forgets anyone and always makes people feel special. This is why people ALWAYS remember Nick. They remember him for the way he makes them feel; as if they were the only person in the world and that they meant everything to him.

Finding Freedom

July was a very sad month for Nick, but also an exciting one. He lost his horse, Danny, of 12 years who we will never be able to replace. The funny thing about Danny is that he ONLY liked Nick. I was lucky enough to be tolerated by Danny on occasion, but others were not so fortunate. It did not matter if they were kids, adults, or pony clubbers, he bucked them all off. Nick could bump Danny on the back or pull on the reins too hard because Danny loved him. If  I were to do that I would have been laying on my back. Nick and Danny truly were a perfect match and he will forever be missed.

The good news is that Nick decided to start riding again. There was the option of buying a new horse, but he decided against that. He started riding one of our own horses, Freedom, at a riding lesson and really connected with him. His famous words were "I think Freedom will be my horse now".