Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Eight Bells
During one of my first student clinics I gave a massage to a charming, 84 year-old lady. Her husband was also getting a massage that day, from one of my classmates. Besides getting regular massages, the lady and her husband also liked to take walks and get manicures and pedicures together.
"Will you be spending time with your boyfriend later today?", she asked. "Unfortunately not," I replied. "Ralph and I are going to watch The Kentucky Derby this afternoon." "Oh, I love horses. I should watch too," I exclaimed.
Fancy hats. Celebrities weighed in on their favorite to win, "Big Brown, Big Brown, Big Brown." "Eight Bells," voiced Molly Sims, actress and Kentucky native. The crowd sang "My Old Kentucky Home." "And they're off!"
It seemed the announcer was trying to talk as fast as the horses were running. It was the homestretch. Beautiful, black Eight Bells, the only filly in the race, was in the lead. She had a look of glee and pride, as out of the corner of her eye she watched Big Brown gain ground. She held her ground. They ran neck and neck a good length.
Big Brown tossed his head in agitation and whinnied. "Not the behavior of a horse who has just won a race. Ken Desourmeaux (the jockey) must feel a little bit embarrassed by Big Brown's behavior," commented the announcer. In the background, to the left of Big Brown, lay the four outstretched legs of a fallen horse.
A vetnarian with ear plugs and an announcer stood together. A moment of silence ensued as the vetnarian listened to his ear plugs, his frown deepening. He confirmed that the horse broke all 4 ankles and was euthanized there on the track. This had never happened in Kentucky Derby history. The fallen horse was Eight Bells.
The Louiseville mayor proclaimed with elation the completion of another world-renowned Kentucky Derby and the winner, Big Brown. Big Brown's owners clamoured together, grinning from ear to ear, holding high the trophy and recounting their elation to a TV interviewer.
One man's face suddenly clouded over and he said he had just learned of Eight Bells and extended his deepest sympathy to Eight Bells' people.
I turned off the TV and burst into tears.
"Will you be spending time with your boyfriend later today?", she asked. "Unfortunately not," I replied. "Ralph and I are going to watch The Kentucky Derby this afternoon." "Oh, I love horses. I should watch too," I exclaimed.
Fancy hats. Celebrities weighed in on their favorite to win, "Big Brown, Big Brown, Big Brown." "Eight Bells," voiced Molly Sims, actress and Kentucky native. The crowd sang "My Old Kentucky Home." "And they're off!"
It seemed the announcer was trying to talk as fast as the horses were running. It was the homestretch. Beautiful, black Eight Bells, the only filly in the race, was in the lead. She had a look of glee and pride, as out of the corner of her eye she watched Big Brown gain ground. She held her ground. They ran neck and neck a good length.
Big Brown tossed his head in agitation and whinnied. "Not the behavior of a horse who has just won a race. Ken Desourmeaux (the jockey) must feel a little bit embarrassed by Big Brown's behavior," commented the announcer. In the background, to the left of Big Brown, lay the four outstretched legs of a fallen horse.
A vetnarian with ear plugs and an announcer stood together. A moment of silence ensued as the vetnarian listened to his ear plugs, his frown deepening. He confirmed that the horse broke all 4 ankles and was euthanized there on the track. This had never happened in Kentucky Derby history. The fallen horse was Eight Bells.
The Louiseville mayor proclaimed with elation the completion of another world-renowned Kentucky Derby and the winner, Big Brown. Big Brown's owners clamoured together, grinning from ear to ear, holding high the trophy and recounting their elation to a TV interviewer.
One man's face suddenly clouded over and he said he had just learned of Eight Bells and extended his deepest sympathy to Eight Bells' people.
I turned off the TV and burst into tears.
Subscribe to Comments [Atom]