Bella

Bella is a typical eight year old girl. But, of course, she's very special to me, along with the rest of my 15 grandchildren. Last week she had an experience with death that few kids have.

She would go to the horse farm with Sydney (Sydney has a leased horse, Bo) several times a week but she didn't really care for the horses. They are so big and she just didn't feel safe around them. One day she ended up alone in the barn. Sydney and Ted were with Bo. Bella looked around, not knowing where to go and all she could see were the hind ends of horses in every stall. She panicked. Ted heard her crying and came running. A lady from the farm came along just then, asked what the problem was, and said she had a horse just right for Bella! She took Bella to see a tiny, full grown, miniature horse named Cinderella.

Bella fell in love with Cinderella. Now every time they went to the farm, Bella was with Cinderella. She brushed her, talked to her, walked her, fed and watered her. Whatever she needed Bella took care of it.

At the farm live two huge Black Lab dogs. They suddenly came tearing through the barn. Cinderella was spooked and jumped. She was on a tether, to be brushed...so she couldn't just run away. When she came down she landed funny. A vet was called, and after examining her he gave the final word. Her leg was very badly broken. She would have to be put down.

Poor Cinderella...Poor Bella.

The horse was buried in a field right there at the farm. There was a memorial service held for her. Bella, Sydney, and Ted all went, and even took flowers to plant on her grave. Lots of other folks were there too. Everyone knew how much Bella loved Cinderella.

Bella was asked if she'd like to say something. She went to the front, and started crying...she couldn't talk. So Sydney was asked if she'd like to say something. She went up and after about three words...she started crying! Then Ted was asked if he'd like to say something. So he told about how Bella and Cinderella got together and how much they loved each other...
It was very emotional and even he had a hard time talking...but he made it!

One of the woman who works at the farm took a picture, one day, of Bella and Cinderella. After this bad incident she had the picture enlarged, matted, and framed. After the memorial service she gave it to Bella! What a nice gesture on her part. Bella has it sitting by her bed.


Heavenly Father, this is one of those tough experiences of life. It's especially tough for an eight year old girl. Please comfort Bella. Help her to grieve and then move on. Please be her Comfort and her Strength.