Huge dark, dark eyes fringed with ridiculously long lashes.  Tall, straight ears that don't miss a sound.  A strong, firm back.  Powerful legs that thunder across the plains when she is running at a full gallop.  Black mane and matching tail that fly freely in the wind as she runs.  A velvety-soft muzzle.

All of this adds up to make up my beautiful horse, whom I have named Aurora Borealis.  I named her Aurora because I live in Texas, and I want to go to Alaska for a visit.  Guess I was dreaming again, even when it came to naming my horse, which was a birthday present to me from my uncle Tom, who owned a ranch.

I have had Aurora for two years now, and she is my best friend.  We have spent many happy days together, her running free in the wind, and me, perched atop her back.  When I am on top of my horse, I lose all track of time, and all the worries of school or home life melt away in an instant.  I live for these times with my Aurora.  I love caring for her, and I love her so much!  She is probably my best friend in the whole wide world.

Family life for me isn't the greatest.  A sullen older brother who grunts instead of talks, a bratty baby sister who gets all the attention from mom and daddy, and a grandmother with Alzheimers who lives with us.  Daddy and mom working two jobs to provide for us, and the worry that one of the jobs might fold, making ends meet all the more difficult.  I also have to deal with the numbnuts at school who like to tease me by saying that I smell like a  horse or about being a virgin.

The kids also tease me because I am a Christian and go to church every Sunday or partake in church activities during the week (Missionettes on Wednesdays, Angel Food on the last Saturday of the month, Bible Study on Tuesdays, Beautiful Feet on Fridays).  They call me Miss Holy Roller and other equally insulting names.

I'm sorry: I can't help it that I am a Christian.  I am not going to change just to end up flat on my face.  Before I accepted Christ two years ago, my life is a mess.  Now that I have Christ in my heart, life is a lot better, but I still have the problems that I mentioned above.

I also have Aurora Borealis, and she's just as good as having Jesus in my heart.  She makes my heart smile, and she makes my life that much easier to bear.  She is the best thing that could have ever happened to me since grandma came to stay with us.  It hasn't been easy, especially for me.

I look at my horse as a blessing from God.  I guess He knew I was unhappy so He brought Aurora into my life, and it's like my life suddenly  has meaning again.  I would do anything for her.  I love Aurora Borealis so much!

I love my family, but Aurora doesn't talk back or act stupid.  She's a horse.  She's supposed to act like a horse, and she isn't afraid to show me how much she loves me.  Well, the feeling's mutual: I love her, too.  Very much so.

There's just something about thundering across the plains on the back of a horse, the wind rushing through my hair and by my ears, heart hammering against my chest, and the feel of powerful muscles rippling underneath you.  It is one of the greatest feelings in all the world; I wish everyone could experience the joy that I feel when I am riding Aurora.