I've had a lot of "dream" jobs in my life. Things I wanted to do and
pursue. Like most people, I didn't fall into any of those "dream" jobs. I guess at some point you realize that you don't fall into the a job. If you really want it, you have to plan for it, go for it and put in the hard long hours to make it happen. Many of those jobs could still be attainable under the battle cry of "Never too old!" Today, I am looking back on a career that I wanted from the time I was very young and that has now raced beyond my reach. I have had a passion for horses ever since I can recall. I would say I was born with it though I am certain that some of those of a scientific background would argue against that notion. Growing up in West Texas in the 1970s, I had plenty of horses that I could see on drives around the countryside and was even lucky enough sometimes to convince my mother to take me to one of the small time tracks in the area. Horse racing was enjoying one of its golden ages at the time, and those fabulously fast horses became my favorites. The first one I remember was Seattle Slew. He was born the same year I was and had such a will to never let anyone else pass him. To this day, he is one of my favorite racehorses. The next year would bring the love of my horseracing life into my world - Alydar. With the love and admiration of these horses, I grew to want to be a jockey. To sit on the back of a horse that flew around a track, unfettered by the commands of gravity still appeals to me to this day. There are lots of "reasons" why I didn't pursue that path, but I've come to learn as I have gotten older that the only real reason was myself. I let all the doubts and fears of pursuing such a path drown that dream of mine. Yes, I could go back and try to make a go of it. I am not that old yet; I am small in stature and in great shape. A few years back, I was even going to try to get a job as an exercise rider with the ultimate goal of riding in races. However, having come to learn of my cervical spine issues and just having had a multi-level spinal fusion, I have come to put that particular dream to rest. I am thankful for the experiences I have had with horse while I do have that scar of regret that I didn't do more to become a jockey, as I dreamed of doing all those years ago. That small voice of childhood still whispers that it must be one of the finest ways to spend a life, soaking up the smells and sights of the magnificent horses who fly without wings. I have learned now to not take as much for granted, but most especially have learned to not let myself get in the way of those things I want to do in life. I have already lost too much, not just my chance at a dream career, when I have let myself get in the way of the things that would make me the happiest.
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