Chester & The Little Dude...

As I pulled into the parking lot at the barn this afternoon, it was packed. 
My first thought was: Okay, jerks, what was I not invited to?
My second thought was: Great, it is packed and I just wanted some quiet time with my horse.
It was day two of the typhoon which brought snow flakes the size of baseballs (I am not exaggerating), more wind and completely dismal weather at best.  As I walked into the barn, it was quiet, but I saw a gift bag peeking around the corner.  Great, birthday party. Which = a bunch of kids all running around.  NOT what I wanted to be dealing with given everything else that I have been trying to deal with. I have not been in the best of head space lately and the last thing I wanted on a Sunday afternoon (especially after spending time with some of my girlfriends last night and our friend Gibson), was have the barn be hectic.
As I brought Chester into the barn, he was immediately swarmed by little people ranging in age from 2 - 5 years old. "What is your horse's name?" "OOOOOOOO, he is Biiigggg." "Can I brush him?" "Can I pet him?" "Can I give him a treat?"  "How old is he?" "He is brown. I like brown horses."
It was impossible for me not to smile at them...all so eager and wanting to pet the pretty pony and learn about him. They asked me questions non stop.  They all thought Chester was the cat's ass.  He didn't bat an eyelash the entire time there was a bunch of little munchkins all around him.  And the damn horse just ate it up.  I had never seen him with brighter eyes.
All the kiddies were giggling as he would 'kiss' them with him lips as they fed him Mini-Wheats.  He was so gentle, it was beautiful.
What got me the most...was the littlest dude there.  His mom told me he was 2 1/2.  He was looking at Chester with these big brown eyes.
"Hi little dude, I think Chester would like it if you gave him a treat.  Would you like to do that?"
He looks at me with those big brown eyes and nods his head solemnly. 
"Okay, this is what you do," as I put a Mini-Wheat into the palm of his hand. "Hold your hand out flat and Chester will just take it right from you.  Are you ready?"  Another solemn nod.  The Mini-Wheat was pretty much the size of the little dude's hand.
He lifts his hand up, Chester looks down at him...and barley brushes the little dudes hand and snuffs up the Mini-Wheat.  Little dude breaks into the biggest smile I have ever seen and giggles the cutest little kid giggle ever.  And then, little dude reaches up to pat Chester's nose, but couldn't reach.  So, Chester lowers his head so the little dude can reach his nose...and then blows hot air all over him...much to the little dude's delight.
If I didn't know any better, I swear the horse did it on purpose.
It was the cutest thing I have ever seen and another reason why I love my horse so much...