A Mighty Warrior ~ Constance Gordon-Johnson 29.07.1950 ~ 21.01.2000
A mighty woman was born this day ~ Constance Gordon-Johnson and today I am proud more than sad.
People still email me or ring me or make comments when they meet me that they knew Constance because she did indeed make an impact on many peoples' lives. Constance was mighty. Constance was fierce in everything she attempted to do in life ~ she was a WARRIOR - there is no doubt in my mind.
It began early in her efforts to care for every animal that entered her sphere of life. Her love for animals poured over into a very healthy and respectful love of horses. The study of horses led her to produce outstanding art at a very early age. Her art grew from strength to strength. She would remain in the stables all night long by the side of any of our horses if or when they became ill ~ Greenacres Stables ~ a memory from long ago in Memphis, Tennessee. Constance had horses on and off her entire life...and most definitely at the end.
I remember her bedroom filled to the brim with awards and sketches and paintings of horses covered every wall. Blue ribbons, red ribbons, trophies, tiny, miniature saddles and bridles made to perfection out of real leather and metal...by Constance's hands at such an early age. She was so brilliant in many ways and was intimidating in every way.
Constance taught me how to be tough. She taught me a tremendous amount over the years and decades and then...she departed for this grand land called Australia.
My first horse 'Scotch & Soda' ~ nicknamed 'Freckles' bolted after lightning touched the tip of a tree while we were out riding. I was hurled up in the air and landed with a great thud and could not breathe. Crying. Eating dirt. Angry and not understanding how my horse could do that to me ~ I think I was 8 or 9 years old. Constance, high on her horse, demanded I stand up, brush myself off and get back in the saddle immediately. Well, I of course...refused. Constance would not have a bar of it. She remained calm and stern and explained Freckles was spooked and it had nothing to do with Freckles not wanting me to ride him, but I had to get back ON immediately or I would never ride again. (Well, in my little girl's mind I thought that meant SHE would never allow me to ride again and that really pissed me off~!) So, to prove her wrong, I hopped right back on again while Freckles patiently waited and we rode back in the barn in silence. And...still today...I cannot count the number of times I have 'fallen off in life' and had to pull myself back up again.
Constance's legacy - The Constance Gordon-Johnson Sculpture Award through the University of South Australia that she had the sensitivity and vision to create has effected numerous South Australian artists over the years. My husband and I have had the pleasure of meeting most of the recipients and this particular award has propelled their careers forward with great momentum~! 'Well Done', Constanza!
So, today I am indeed missing my older sister ~ my one and only sibling. But, now when I think of her my heart fills with pride and an overwhelming feeling that it was a privilege to have Constance in my life as she was one Hell of a woman - a mighty warrior in every aspect.
Posted with love and respect,
Blanco ~ a proud sister...
The Roaming Stevens
People still email me or ring me or make comments when they meet me that they knew Constance because she did indeed make an impact on many peoples' lives. Constance was mighty. Constance was fierce in everything she attempted to do in life ~ she was a WARRIOR - there is no doubt in my mind.
It began early in her efforts to care for every animal that entered her sphere of life. Her love for animals poured over into a very healthy and respectful love of horses. The study of horses led her to produce outstanding art at a very early age. Her art grew from strength to strength. She would remain in the stables all night long by the side of any of our horses if or when they became ill ~ Greenacres Stables ~ a memory from long ago in Memphis, Tennessee. Constance had horses on and off her entire life...and most definitely at the end.
I remember her bedroom filled to the brim with awards and sketches and paintings of horses covered every wall. Blue ribbons, red ribbons, trophies, tiny, miniature saddles and bridles made to perfection out of real leather and metal...by Constance's hands at such an early age. She was so brilliant in many ways and was intimidating in every way.
Constance taught me how to be tough. She taught me a tremendous amount over the years and decades and then...she departed for this grand land called Australia.
My first horse 'Scotch & Soda' ~ nicknamed 'Freckles' bolted after lightning touched the tip of a tree while we were out riding. I was hurled up in the air and landed with a great thud and could not breathe. Crying. Eating dirt. Angry and not understanding how my horse could do that to me ~ I think I was 8 or 9 years old. Constance, high on her horse, demanded I stand up, brush myself off and get back in the saddle immediately. Well, I of course...refused. Constance would not have a bar of it. She remained calm and stern and explained Freckles was spooked and it had nothing to do with Freckles not wanting me to ride him, but I had to get back ON immediately or I would never ride again. (Well, in my little girl's mind I thought that meant SHE would never allow me to ride again and that really pissed me off~!) So, to prove her wrong, I hopped right back on again while Freckles patiently waited and we rode back in the barn in silence. And...still today...I cannot count the number of times I have 'fallen off in life' and had to pull myself back up again.
Constance's legacy - The Constance Gordon-Johnson Sculpture Award through the University of South Australia that she had the sensitivity and vision to create has effected numerous South Australian artists over the years. My husband and I have had the pleasure of meeting most of the recipients and this particular award has propelled their careers forward with great momentum~! 'Well Done', Constanza!
So, today I am indeed missing my older sister ~ my one and only sibling. But, now when I think of her my heart fills with pride and an overwhelming feeling that it was a privilege to have Constance in my life as she was one Hell of a woman - a mighty warrior in every aspect.
Posted with love and respect,
Blanco ~ a proud sister...
The Roaming Stevens
Constanza...to the LEFT!
When our family was 'whole'.....
Mother with 'first-born' child!
Ajo, Arizona and a myriad of fine paintings were created
on this trip! Constanza LOVED THE HEAT and the DESERT!
Early days - loaded her own horses - showed in hundreds of shows - barrel racing, English Equitation ~ did not matter as long as she had horses in her life~!
MY FAV PHOTO...
PEGASUS ~ Designed and created by
Constance Gordon-Johnson for
little ole' me ~ proudly 'bounding through ~ flying high upon a wall'
in Georgia, U.S.A.
HE is EXQUISITE ~ if you could only see 'in person'!
Cheers, Constanza - YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD AND... TO OUR LIVES, TOO.
(I have so many more extraordinary photos to share sent to me by David Cotton, one of Constance's BEST MATES in Memphis; however, I am not savvy enough to save them properly to insert here - ONE DAY, hopefully.)
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