Why did we choose the name Labyrinth Training Center?
Labyrinth (April 22, 1988 - July 10, 2018) was the Founder’s first horse who was gifted to her by her parents and with the help of her grandmother. At the time, he was just 3 and Alexandra was 13 years old. Labyrinth lived for thirty years and saw Alexandra through it all. Because of him and the lessons he taught, this organization is born.
Labyrinth
/lab(e)rinTH/
1. an ancient walking meditation tradition; with any labyrinth you can walk a single path only; a journey.
Here we finally lay you down to rest, as was your bidding.
Thank you.
Thank you for everything.
Thank you for the endless hours of listening.
Thank you for the countless adventures, laughs, musings, and meditations.
Thank you for getting me home safely, every. single. time.
Thank you for accepting me for who I was, for who I am, in all my iterations.
Thank you for nudging me, sometime gently, other times violently, toward a truer and better me.
Thank you for reflecting tirelessly so I could learn compassion and empathy.
Thank you for being my spiritual guide, my master.
Thank you for all that you have given and all that you have forgiven.
Thank you for the unconditional love.
And above all, thank you for not giving up on me.
You see directly into my soul, so you know the love harbored there for you.
I wish you could have stayed longer, but I know you stayed long enough, just for me.
I do not want you to suffer any longer.
The time we had together was more than I ever could have hoped for.
Your old soul, your unwavering love, your teachings, they will guide me forever.
Please, let me carry you now and lay you to rest.
I wish you peace and comfort.
I wish you to gallop and buck across the dunes of Popham Beach, the buttes of Montana, the groves of California, the fields and streams of Maryland, the hills of Vermont, and back again once again.
I wish everyone could know the thunder of your hooves and the true exhilaration of your sheer strength, wisdom, dedication, beauty, and grace.
I wish you trust in the truth that your herd, both horse and human, closely surround you with utmost devotion now and forever.
So let your weary bones lay to rest.
You can come down now from your watch post at the top of the hill.
Wrap yourself in the serenity of this farm to which you have delivered us.
I hope you will stay if you so desire, but know that these fences constrain you no longer.
You have carried me far enough.
Lay your creaking, cracking bones and aching belly down.
Leave them there in our care.
Today we honor you my dearest friend, as you so deserve.
The molten core of my sorrow holds the profundity of that which we experienced together.
Its precious burn will serve as a constant reminder of my great fortune.
I am eternally grateful for the time we have shared.
To you, I owe everything.
~July 10, 2018