Don't Know Anything About Horses But Love Them Anyway? or Musings From A Transplanted New Yorker

Musings From A Transplanted New Yorker

My name is Linda Magliola, my husband Bob and I have been volunteering at the rescue for about 2 years.  

I took this picture of Buddy and Hollywood and caught Buddy just right.  I have this hanging on a wall in my home.  

BUDDY A BLIND SANCTUARY HORSE WITH HIS GUIDE AND COMPANION HOLLYWOOD

We are from New York and have never been around horses, we are city folk.  After retiring to Aiken we wanted to get involve with a worthy cause and Aiken Rescue was it.  

I always loved horses thinking they were such majestic animals.  It is so peaceful and almost spiritual at the rescue, we enjoying being there.  

The past two years usually Bob and I  have been the only two people on Wednesday doing chores.  The past two months three other people have been showing up on Wednesdays and it has made things a lot easier for us.

Aiken Equine Rescue always welcomes volunteers. You don't have to know anything about horses to help out . For a list of some of our volunteer needs go to our website and click on our Volunteer page. We have a list of needs under Volunteer Interest.

A Young Man Worth Knowing Will Be Missed

A piece of the heart of Aiken Equine Rescue was broken off last night. One of our family, BJ Williamson passed away from a heart attack. 

BJ at Work

Always smiling, always there helping out, driving the tractor, taking beautiful photographs of the rescue just for the enjoyment of the scenery.

BJ  loved his family,. He loved his Equine Rescue of Aiken family too. We are made up of a large family of volunteers with a few staff members thrown in for good measure. We work hard and love what we do for the horses. We also, take it hard when we lose one of our own.

A death of someone like BJ is especially hard, a young man struck down in the prime of life. He had just come back from a well earned vacation to Florida with his partner, James Buck. BJ came back from his  vacation on cloud 9. They had a fun and relaxing time together, not knowing that BJ would be gone soon. 

As Jim Rhodes said: "James Buck, BJ Williamson loved you. He showed his love for the Rescue, Debbie Henderson-Rhodes and myself that will never be replaced...... BJ and James will always be part of our lives and we love you like our own.... always remember the Great times y'all had and there were many.......My Heart is Numb Over Our Loss"

We are all numb. Our Equine Rescue family will miss BJ and we will keep him in our thoughts and prayers. 

The hole he has left in our hearts will remain there, but it will continue to be filled with wonderful memories of a man worth knowing. He was one of us and he will be missed. 

Sample of BJ Williamson Photography

Arrangements for services in Swainsboro GA are still being made. Look to the Aiken Equine Rescue facebook page for information about a Celebration of Life for BJ to be scheduled soon.

James asked that you please send your prayers for peace during this time. His family is asking in lieu of flowers that you make a donation to the Aiken Equine Rescue. "That was BJ's favorite place in the world."