Listen for the ‘bells’
By Carol C. Harder
I often wrote about my Uncle Carl in my newspaper columns. He was an incredible human being – and I am forever grateful for his influence on my life.
Being the product of hard-working and sturdy Scandinavian heritage, Uncle Carl believed that life’s best lessons were learned through experience. With only an eighth-grade education, most of Uncle Carl’s wisdom was learned from “behind the plow of life.”
And so, whenever we – his nieces and nephews – had the opportunity to tag along with him, all of us knew that adventure was quite possibly just around the corner – and more often than not, along with that came a lesson to be learned.
Though we didn’t realize it at the time, Biology 101 class came into our lives when dissecting a deceased animal out on pasture. While pointing out the different organs of the animal exposed before our young eyes, Uncle Carl quickly diagnosed the reason for the death – copper poisoning – by examining the liver or urinary calculi caused by a mineral deficiency.
Uncle Carl’s rotund Santa Claus-like size held out attention and unfaltering adoration. Standing 6’3″ and tipping the scales at 300 pounds made Uncle Carl appear larger than life itself.
Always our teacher, perhaps one of the most poignant lessons he gave us, though, was taught with the help of his two favorite horses, Millie and Mazie.
Uncle Carl had a special pasture for just these two animals. In the spring, wild flowers bloomed on very little hill and rise of the earth, filling the country air with perfumed awareness.
Flowing through the middle of the acreage was a picturesque creek that was lined with Cottonwood trees. During the summer months, Millie and Mazie would drink lazily from the its gentle currents.
Then, standing head-to-tail, the wold swat flies and bask together in the season’s gentle breezes.
From a distance, each horse looked just like the other – or just like any other horses. But, if you took the time to closely observe them, you would realize something that was quite amazing.
Looking into the eyes of Mazie would reveal the fact that the big old mare was blind.
Uncle Carl had elected not to put her down – but rather – to make her a good home.
This was difficult – and amazing – to do on a large farm that involved many, many animals. But this gesture of Uncle Carl’s was just another indicator of the amount of love for all of God’s creatures that could be found in his heart.
If one would stand nearby the pasture – and listened – you could hear the peal of a bell. The source of that sound came from the smaller horse, Millie. Attached to Millie’s halter was a small bell. The sound of the bell would let Mazie – Millie’s friend – know where Millie was – so then she cold follow the sound – and Millie.
Standing at the pasture fence and watching these two equine friends, one would see Millie, with the bell, would continually be checking on Mazie. Mazie, the blind horse, would listen for the bell – and then slowly walk to where Millie was – always trusting that she would not be led astray.
When Millie would return to the shelter of the barn each evening, she would stop on occasion and look back, making sure that Mazie wasn’t too far behind to hear the ball.
Watching the relationship between the two animals always gave way for some Uncle Carl-shared wisdom.
One day he said, “You know, I think God and I have a lot in common. Just like I keep Mazie around, God does not throw anyone away just because they’re not perfect, or because they have problems of challenges. He watches over us – and even brings others into our lives – to help us when we are in need.
“At times we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.
“Other times, we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.
“Good friends are like that. You may not always be able to be with them, see them – but you know they are always there for you.”
Then, Uncle Carl rattled the pail of oats he was carrying – and horses and humans alike absorbed the goodness of life together.
Turning to us kids he said, “Listen for my bell, and I will listen for yours.”