Bessie, 18 years old. Standardbred. Former trotter (bought at auction for $800 in 2008). In 15 years on the farm: roughly 40,000 miles. Around the world. One and a half times.
40,000 miles: 3,000 market trips. 800 Sunday services. 200 doctor visits (not vet — human, for children). 50 weddings. 20 funerals. 1 flood. 1 tornado. 0 accidents.
Josiah covered the same 40,000 miles. On the same seat. Beside Sarah (38,000 of 40,000 together, 2,000 alone when Sarah was ill or with infant). In 15 years never went faster than 15 km/h. Never late (nowhere to be late when life = the road).
Bessie ages. Josiah too. Both need more time. Both need more carrots (Bessie) and tea (Josiah). But the road is the same. Sunset at the end — same. Home where they're waited for — same. 40,000 miles. Enough.