The CLS barn family is truly that. It's a family of people who care about each other. It's in that spirit that I write.

Cash was diagnosed a few months ago with the early stages of dementia, likely Alzheimer's Disease. What that means for my family, and for our barn family, has only really started to sink in. Likewise, the lessons that we surely will learn through this trying period are only starting to reveal themselves.

One revealing moment happened this week. While I was running crazy readying the barn for our annual Holiday party and year-end celebration, I stopped for a few seconds, irritated by Cash watching me work. Friends know that I have two speeds: Zoom and Crash. I can't imagine not being able to manage a few hundred jobs/conversations/crises at once.

So when Cash sat there, chillin' out without a care in the world in the middle of my chaos, I got downright snotty with him. "There is so much work to do around here," I snapped. "Can't you find something to do?"

Later that day, I was fussing at Cash and Cashlyn. I had specifically asked them not to eat at Wendy's and to be at the barn by 4 pm sharp for Cashlyn's riding lesson. They rolled in late, toting Wendy's hamburgers, giggling and acting crazy.

When I asked why they were late and what they had been doing, Cashlyn said, "We've just been hanging out. I love hanging out with my Daddy."

Here I was, juggling three phones, typing and answering staff questions over my shoulder all at the same time - and feeling quite important, I might add. And there were my husband and daughter, without a care in this world, just "hanging out."

And I had to wonder . . . Maybe hidden behind this debilitating illness that Cash faces, maybe just maybe there are some bright spots, like being free to enjoy just being. And maybe that's my first big lesson learned as we head down this scary road. Just "hanging out" has always been anathema to me. I've always thought I had to be busy, busy, busy. Think of all the fun I've missed.

God works in the strangest ways, doesn't he?

I hope each member of our barn family can join us Saturday, Dec. 10, for the barn's annual Holiday Party. We have so much to celebrate, and so many wonderful people to enjoy! See you at the barn - 9 am sharp!