(Original Author Unknown.) 

                                       (Title added, text revised and edited by Stan Berg)

Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is walking by, one will notice something quite amazing. 

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that HE is blind. HIS owner has chosen not to have HIM put down, but has made a good home for HIM. This alone is amazing. 

Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to HER bridle is a small bell. It lets HER blind friend know where SHE is, so HE can follow HER.

As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. 

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not abandon us just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or medical challenges. 

God watches over us and brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.  

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by a guide horse that God has placed in our lives. Other times we are the guide horses that God has placed in the lives of others needing our help. 

Analogy - Husbands and wives in the role of caregivers are all guide horses, that God has commissioned to care for our life’s partners....”in sickness and in  health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part!”   

Stan's notes: I was struck by how this story could have and frequently is the story of a man and wife. I am convinced that God placed me in June's  life to care for her knowing that she would be overcome by Alzheimer's. God gave me a life's calling far better than any I have ever had. I have not always done the best, but I have tried. June helped me to see God. Then I became June's guide horse for as long as God permitted me to do so. June passed away on October 23rd, 2008 after almost 11 weary years of struggling with Alzheimer's. She was and always will be the light and love of my life.

Photo below was taken by Jim Gehrz of the Minneapolis Star Tribune on October 31st, 2007 and published on 24 November 2007.  "Stan and June: To have and to hold for 55 Years." Picture was taken at the Benedictine Health Care Center at Innsbruck, New Brighton, MN. The photo is candid and unposed and was taken by Jim Gehrz on a return trip that day.  This scene is in the little Holy Spirit Chapel immediately in front of the alter. 

God prepared a place for June almost exactly one year later. John 14:2 (KJV): "in my father's house are many mansions...I go to prepare a place for you..."

                                           (Jim Gehrz Photo of June and Stan at the Benedictine 10/31/2007)

     Note: June's funeral notice as printed in the Minneapolis Star Tribune following her death in October 2008 can be found on the top blue navigation strip under the label "In Memoriam" and on the drop down menu as item:

"June K. (Rolstad) Berg - In Memoriam".

For the story of June’s favorite home at 6025 Gardena Lane and the poem I wrote about this home during a day of deep sadness, click on the below link: (This was June’s home for almost 40 years. It was constructed shortly after the previous home was severely damaged in a tornado. 6025 Gardena Lane was the first home the June participated in the selection and purchase of a lot on a small hill, helped with the design of the home and watched it being constructed. 6025 Gardena Lane had a special place in her heart.)

“6025 Gardena Lane – June’s Favorite Home”

(Edition (5) – 4/12/2009)