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@Treble ; let me know when and I can put you and whomever into Gizmo's Exchange :) that way you have a safe place to sell a 1HB horse

Firstly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I'll step outside the parent/spouse zone that "has" to be generous to you.

When my wife and I were just starting to breed goats, someone in our breed took us under her wing and helped us learn the ropes of breeding, showing, performance programs, genetics, etc. She loaned us a buck for a year to help get us started with better genetics than we would have otherwise had access to, and even gave us a doe kid. This wasn't because she lives nearby - she lives ~10 hours away, but she has the financial means and dedication to the breed to help others get started. We are also on opposite ends of the political/social spectrum too, and I appreciate someone who can rise above deeply held beliefs to meet a common goal.

Happy birthday!

So my senior year of high school was interrupted by covid back in 2020, and of course school got cancelled for the rest of the year. We didn’t have prom, a senior trip, senior day, or a normal graduation.

Our graduation ended up being individual time slots around 5 minutes where we got to walk across a makeshift stage in the school’s gym and get our diploma. Aside from my parents, all of my family is out of state and therefore weren’t able to attend my graduation. Instead, a few of the older ladies from my church attended (you know the type, grandmotherly southern charm, calling everyone darlin or sweetie). Also, I was surprised by my orchestra director attending - she’s a close family friend that I’ve known for years. I had been told that teachers weren’t allowed to attend any of the graduations (unless they were also family), but she and my mom went to the administration and got an exception. My orchestra director even typed up and read a letter that she had written to me (yes, I cried).

My parents had (without me knowing) reached out to a bunch of people that had been part of my life growing up and had them record and send short videos talking to me. They put all the videos together on an engraved flash drive that I’ll now always have to look back on. That was a great surprise since I couldn’t have extended family in town, nor could I have a graduation party.

Also, for my high school graduation some teachers dropped off gifts to my house and people that I didn’t really even know put together gift baskets and dropped them off. My favorite gift was a graduated cylinder from one of my science teachers (get the pun yet?). Actually, one of my teachers still has my graduation gift in her house and it’s been sitting there for years. She says it’ll just have to become my college graduation gift now lol

My parents, friends, family, and teachers have always been generous in giving opportunities and providing memorable experiences and I’ll be forever grateful for that.

Happy Birthday!
The most generous thing that has ever happened to me is when I was gifted my AMHR gelding back to me when I was pregnant with my first child. I had sold him years earlier due to unfortunate personal issues in my life. I loved my boy, Shiloh, dearly but I found the perfect home for him and knew it was the best thing for him. I had to be selfless for him. He had two girls to doll over him and was going to be a companion for their show horses. A little over 2 years ago the family I sold him to reached out to me because their daughters were going off to college with their Hunter/Jumpers and Shiloh was unfortunately not going to be able to go with them, and would be stuck back at home all alone. While chatting about Shiloh, I mentioned that I was pregnant and that we had just bought a new home. Shiloh’s family all decided that they would love to gift Shiloh back to me for my children to have the perfect mini to grow up. I rarely ever cry, but I broke down and cried for days over their unbelievable kindness. That weekend I brought my boy back home to be with his herd and family that he had left years before. He acted like he had never left! Shiloh is forever home now with my family and myself, and I am so grateful for the generosity of that amazing family. My children adore Shiloh as much as I always have....I’m hoping in a few years he can teach them the ropes in the show ring like he once did for me.

Happy birthday!

The nicest thing anyone has ever done for me is kinda a sad story so TW: Death....

About three years ago my dad passed unexpectedly, and as he lived alone in another state he was discovered immediately. Thus when he was he had to be cremated. I was devastated by everything (how he went, how long he was alone, and that he couldn't even have a proper funeral). On top of the general devastation I was 24/25 and had no money. One of my puppies had an accident she jumped off the porch when I wasn't around. She broke her leg. Should have had normal healing, but with neglectful vet assistants she had got an infection that was left untreated (though we were coming in at least once a week if not twice for a new cast/cleaning). She ended up going into a seizure they couldn't bring her out of and my bank account was empty. So we did all we could, but the kindest thing we could do with her in a permanent seizure was put her down. As it was so unexpected I spent the last bit of cash we had ordering her ashes and a paw print stone she was so young it wasn't fair. We called for weeks. A month later they said they lost her and her print....So when I found out about my Dad I couldn't even afford to pay the morgue for his ashes. I couldn't stop crying and I didn't know what to do. They won't just give you your dad in these situations even if they want to they run a business, and like us all have bills to pay. A man I don't know, don't even know his name, but he decided to pay for me to get my Dad. I will forever be grateful for his kindness as without him I wouldn't have been able to bring my dad home, and I wish I could return the favor or show just how much it meant to me.

PS if it's past time for entry I'm sorry for any inconvenience and please disregard my comment.

Happy birthday! <3

@wolfranch, my goodness, what a story!