Richard, with Bethann at his side, spoke with immense pride."The idea of an Equestrian Community came about because of Leah Oliver and the love she had for her students and the equestrian program. Therefore, what is being presented to you today." He paused, focusing on the model. "Is given in her memory, and in the memory of Klaus Bukener Sr."
Leah's eyes filled with wonder.
"It is our belief, that if Leah were alive today, she would be able to see in this, the love and gratitude of those whose lives she touched."
Everyone was smiling, everyone was nodding, and all for her. Leah couldn't believe it. For her. She hardly knew most of the people, some were even strangers. And yet...
"It is also our belief, that if she were alive today, she would see the true sense of the community theme." Richard motioned for Christine to uncover the plaque, and hesitated
then, his voice cracking as he read the inscription out loud.
THE MAPLE DALE EQUESTRIAN COMMUNITY RIDING
ARENA, BARNS, AND CROSS COUNTRY COURSE ARE
GIVEN IN MEMORY OF LEAH OLIVER. BECAUSE OF
HER, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE HORSES AT MAPLE
DALE. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE EQUESTRIANS.
SHE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
WITH LOVE, BETHANN MORRISON
Leah held her breath in awe, this was such an honor. But there was more. Richard raised the plaque higher and read the inscription on the bottom.
Leah Oliver died on August 14, 1988 at the
age of thirty seven. Preceding her in death
was her mother Evelyn, her father Daniel,
and her sister Natasha. May God be with them.
May she be at peace.
Everyone stood and applauded, with not a dry eye in the house, as the saying goes, then milled around for a closer look and to read the dedication themselves. Leah wanted to come closer too, but stayed back, and searched out the faces of those she'd come to know and care about.
"Oh, Bill," she whispered. "Did you hear? My mother's name is Evelyn. Evelyn." She smiled at Richard and Christine. "My father's name is Daniel." Matt and Walter were standing next to them. Bethann was laughing with her friends. "My sister's name is Natasha. Natasha. What a beautiful name."
She wanted to say all their names over and over, to shout them to the heavens. And hurrying outside lest she be heard, she danced around in the snow like a ballerina. Singing and dancing, and twirling and twirling.
Snowflakes melted as they lit upon her, twisting and turning, glittering as she danced farther and farther away. Then something, a thought, a recent memory, made her stop and look back. She could see everyone clearly, so very clearly. The building was bursting with joy, with lights, with love. She closed her eyes and in the distance could hear the horses, the sounds of their hooves hitting the ground, and the sounds of the student's laughter. The students. She hadn't abandoned them after all. And Bethann, dear sweet Bethann, had found a way for her to always be with them.
"Thank God!" she whispered. "Thank God!"
There was no one to hear her, no one to say I understand, no ray of light, it was pitch black. Yet, she didn't feel alone. Not anymore. She felt as if someone was listening. Someone who cared, and she raised her eyes to the sky.
"Thank You!" she said. "Thank You for all of this!"
The thick clouds separated, showing the stars above, tiny little specks miles and miles away, and yet so close, she raised her arms to see if they held any warmth.
They brightened, the brightness was hers, and she could see, really see for the first time. It had been there all along. Always. She raised her arms higher, wanting to experience even more, to know all of it, to finally move on, and smiled when someone reached down to show her the way.
After all these years, a lifetime, Leah still recognized her. "Mother," she said, and felt the warmth of her loving touch. It was her mother.
Maple Dale (Maple Dale Series) Page 16