I met Sandy in 1979 and sharing a mutual love, admiration and respect of horses we became steadfast friends.  We worked together for a while but eventually "life" and family responsibilities interrupted our friendship for quite some time and our visits and horse activities naturally took second place to raising our families, learning to cook,becoming caretakers of our "castles", our kids and our various menageries of animals of every size,shape, and form.  Although we crossed paths occasionally,we never "reconnected" until 2004 when time permitted us to reestablish our friendships and old routines and we began riding once again regularly.  Very early one  morning I headed out to Forest Mills to Sandy's for a planned horse excursion...there had been a very bad storm the night before and as I started up the very long tree lined lane to Sandy's and I rounded the curve in the laneway I hit the brakes..there on the road directly in front of me sat a van seemingly abandoned..I could see no one around..I got out of my truck and going around the van I discovered there was a tree that had fallen in the storm and it lay all the way across the road, preventing any further travel...going around the other side of the van I was met by this very little person that I had never seen or met before.....she had a choke hold on part of this tree and she ws bound and determined she was moving it out of the way !!!  I had never met Marie...but before she opened her mouth to introduce herself, I knew it was Marie, Sandy's mother...WEE BUT WIRY AND TOUGH AS ALL GET OUT!!!   I suggested I would continue on up to Sandy's and get her to come down with the tractor...she would have none of it  "WE" could move it,she stated adamantly!!!...okay..!!!  from then on I did as instructed and "indeed", WE did manage to move it far enough aside , tugging, shoving, sharing some laughs so we could get past...by the time the job was done I felt like I had known her forever.  What an unbelievable first memory of Marie I had, a tough and determined little bird....one of many memories I would be blessed to share with her over the years.  I passed the Turriff farm everytime I went to Sandy's and often stopped to say hi and  make sure Marie was okay..she always offered to put the coffee on and we  would have a gab..  One evening we were trying to hook up with Sandy but could find no sign of her..we were worried so off we went to Marie's ...she invited us right in, got the phone book, cold drinks and started making calls..once we located Sandy Marie gave a big sigh, we shared some laughs, got hugs, smiles and a hearty "good night" and a "see you soon..stop anytime" ...and we did, sometimes boosting Marie up into the truck and off we would go to Sandy's.  When the farm was sold Marie invited us to her new home "anytime...just drop in" she said..we never got there ...and now it seems Marie has changed her address again...although we cannot go to visit, Marie will be in our hearts and thoughts always...and I am sure always looking over our shoulder to make sure we do whatever we are doing "according to instruction"

"Cheerio, for now Marie" until we meet again..Love you...