I’ve put off writing this column for so long, because somewhere in the back of my mind, I haven’t wanted to acknowledge it. Every year, I head to the SPURS Grand Classic – the local version of equestrian Special Olympics – and try, in some small way, to capture the heart of the event.

Sometimes it’s the grit of the athletes, the joy of their accomplishments, the pride in their souls leaking out in their gaze.

Sometimes it’s the people who sacrifice much to make this event happen.

Sometimes it’s all of that. And there just aren’t enough words to fully express what SPURS has meant and continues to mean in the lives of everyone involved, from the directors, to the volunteers, to the athletes to the parents.

For example, there’s Laura Zahn, a longtime athlete whose favorite part of the program is the connection she feels with her horse.

Same for Traci Miller, who is riding for the first time at SPURS, and can hardly get enough of her horse, Rose.

Then there’s Jessica Malsam, whose parents have made the drive in from Hosmer for years, and who attended the equestrian event in Huron until SPURS began hosting its own a handful of years ago.

Years ago, before kids, I was a volunteer at SPURS. I spent hours there, both in classes and generally trying to be helpful. I went to the Special Olympics events in Huron. Apparently, Jessica noticed, because right when I introduced myself to her, she kindly corrected me.

“I remember you,” she said.

Occasionally, I can still be surprised.

Jessica told me her favorite thing about SPURS is riding the horses and getting to compete at the SPURS home facility (her parents also enjoy the shorter drive).

But she also surprised me (again) with a list of other things she enjoys – going to the races at Brown County Speedway, the concerts at the fair, music in general. Basically, she enjoys being social and doing fun things.

I can relate, at least to the fun part.

And then there’s my son, who did not participate in the program this year, but because of some developmental things, did not start kindergarten last year but instead had a year of occupational therapy and a few weeks of riding at SPURS.

It was one of the more surreal moments of my life, watching my son participate in a program that first made Aberdeen feel like home for me more than a decade ago when I began volunteering once a week there.

Which is why this column is so hard to write, because, Lord willing, this is the final Grand Classic I will attend as a resident of South Dakota.

Aberdeen will, in some respects, be hard to leave. This house, the people, our church family. But one of the hardest things to leave, for me, will be SPURS. I long intended to return to volunteering there once our kids were old enough to be trusted on their own for an hour or two (though if you’ve met our youngest, that trust is a long ways off).

But as a family, we are moving to be close to family and the thought of not getting to come back to SPURS is a hard one to swallow. I guess I’ll just have to make a road trip every summer.

I’ll leave you with this. I know there are many organizations in the community that are worthy of your time and consideration, but SPURS holds a special place in my heart, and it literally cannot survive without the people that make it so special.

So, if you can, for one small hour a week, spend it with SPURS. Get to know the Lauras and the Tracis and the Jessicas. You might learn something.