Dear Friends,
It has been such a touching weekend…but I must say in so many different ways. Life has a way of being like this. There were 2 birthdays I honored…My dear pal, Charles, here at the farm and my owner’s wonderful MOM, Jean. Then MY JOHN and Dottie attended their niece’s wedding celebration and it was all so special.
On the horse front, BLACK CAVIAR won #19…. ANIMAL KINGDOM won his comeback race with style, and some very impressive 3 year olds celebrated victories around the country. All of this so much fun to watch and enjoy!
Then, on our Zenyatta. com home front, our dear KARI BUSSELL, one of my most loving and endearing fans passed away on February 17th. Her daughter let all of us know by posting on the site….and so many have responded with love and heartfelt sympathy.
I did meet KARI and would like to share with you some of her words that she shared with our friend, Steve Haskin. Steve sent them to Dottie over the weekend.
The photo above is very significant as standing by this fence at Churchill Downs the Sunday after Breeders’ Cup in 2010 is where I first met her. At this time, she knew she was very ill. This heart was made that day by fans for ME. I am sharing it with KARI, her family, and all of you this morning along with some of her OWN WORDS all written at that time.
“I try to find joy (Zenyatta gives me much) and pretend this (illness) is not happening, if that makes sense. I love to laugh. Just so you know on Sunday afternoon….I was making my husband go back to Churchill Downs to see the Barbaro statue. I am an avid (horse racing) fan. Okay, so in looking for Churchill Downs to see Barbaro we got lost and there SHE was. It still blows my mind how that happened. “
“It is really Zenyatta’s story. I thank God for her, Mr. Shirreffs (my hero), Dottie, The Moss’ and all of them. I love them all for their love and care for Z and all horses. Frank is the one I hold very dear. He was the one who made it happen. I picked up leaves, a stick, and an acorn from the spot it happened. I only need to look at them or shut my eyes and joy runs through my veins.”
“He made sure I got to feel Zenyatta’s right ear graze my fingertip through the fence. It was very emotional for me. He teared up watching me. It was the highlight of my life. My dying wish was to just touch her once. I know in my heart she is the reason I am still alive today and have thus far defied the odds and what Doctors told me. She inspired me to never give up. Plus I refused to go anywhere until her story was finished. I am terminally ill and want to write to him (Frank) and tell him what that meant to me and thank him.”
She did!
As you can see from Kari’s words, I have been extremely blessed to be around so many loving and giving people. She goes on to say how so many people were there on that Sunday afternoon and I even had a cake sent to ME over the fence. So many memories…so many treasured moments…so many wonderful people.
I would like KARI’S FAMILY to know from the bottom of my heart, how much all of her kind words, love, and respect means to ME and MY TEAM. We will definitely THANK FRANK AGAIN for his thoughtfulness and helping to make something very special happen for KARI on that November day in 2010!
With Love,
Hugs to all~ (Blessings to KARI and HER FAMILY!)
Z
Anita in CA
Dear Kari’s Daughter,
I am so glad you received joy through Zen’s Diary today. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your very great loss of your wonderful moma. Thank you for sharing as you have about her in these last few very difficult days. I lost my mama less than two years ago and know it is very heartbreaking. The joy is in having her still in your heart and knowing you will be reunited.
With Love
Anita
stephanie lambert
Thank you Dottie,
Kari was a very special person, I will remember that moment forever, she was so happy….I am beyond heartbroken
Michelle
I am so sorry to hear about Kari. My heart goes out to her daughter and her entire family. What a wonderful way to remember her though with this diary posting. Again, Team Z shows their class. Like many others I didn’t know Kari but felt that I did from reading the diary posts and our “shared love” for Zenyatta.
Stephanie
I finally was up to reading all of the posts of this day, they were beautiful, Kari would have loved each and every one of them, she would be in tears and blushing :) Kari’s daughter and grandchildren were the light of her life, she loved them so much and spoke of them often. My heart to all of them. Barry ,,you have all my prayers and compassion…
I remember being on my knees next to Kari when she reached through that fence , I was taking pics, I won’t ever let that memory go….. Kari had memories<3 of Zenny to live on that filled her heart <3 as do I, it bonded us …..Zenny saved us both and Kari dragged me even more into this world at the BC in 2010 because we wanted to see Zenny….this horse, this amazing animal had the power to heal hearts and souls……Zenny got us over finish lines we could not go over alone…God reached down, touched Zenyatta, and whispered…"This One" …..
Kirsten Gundersen
My aunt and I were there that Sunday after the Classic. The only reason we went to the Breeders’ Cup was to see Zenyatta. I knew we were in for a historic race but little did I know what awaited us the next day.
We did meet Kari and were there when she was making the heart out of leaves. What a wonderful lady. That Sunday was the most magical day of my life. I too was able to touch Zenyatta through the fence. She actually sucked on my finger thinking it was a carrot! We stood there for a couple of hours just watching her graze. It was the most beautiful, picture perfect fall day and this memory will stay in my heart for the rest of my life. Zenyatta means so much to so many people and I will forever be grateful for the experience and look forward to watching her and her babies in the years to come.