Another Thankful Thursday

Never, ever take life for granted.

When I first started working at American Angus 11 1/2 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to invest in a multi-pack of sympathy cards, for when a co-worker, director or friend's loved one passed away. And, these deaths always happened to occur in "threes". Now, I can barely keep enough sympathy cards on hand, and I must admit I've turned to using the the funeral homes "online condolence" feature more and more for acquaintances and Angus breeders. Just this week, I know of four cattle producers who have passed away. And, I have three friends or friends of friends who have undergone major surgery.

Yesterday afternoon I met with Pastor Gary. At the end of our meeting, he asked if I had any prayer requests. . .boy was that the wrong question to ask me! I had a list. Then he stated that he remembered that I always listed several people weekly on my church attendance sheet, and asked how I knew so many struggling people. I told him, I didn't know all of them personally, just that I believed in the power of prayer, and my friends and family know that, so they pass prayer requests onto me. (You can too at anytime.)

So, I'm sorry this is grim. It isn't uplifting or funny like my friends' Luke and Catherine's blog. But, I'm getting to my point. Tonight or tomorrow or this weekend whenever you take time to read this blog, give thanks for the things you have. Right now I am so thankful for my health, my family and friends that support and uplift me, my faith, my home and my career. And tell someone that you are thankful. Tell God. Tell your mom or dad or significant other or a friend or the lady at the drive thru window. Write a note. Write a poem. Donate to a charity. Give thanks. And never, ever take life for granted.

My wish for you. . .

For the past 11 years, during the National Western, I drive by the Denver Rescue Mission each day enroute between my comfortable downtown Denver hotel and the NWSS Complex. Each morning and evening, I witness homeless people lined up for meals and even worse sleeping huddled up next to each other on the cold concrete with a thin blanket and their possessions in a grocery bag next to them. And, each time I think to myself, "How do these people end up with no one to love them and no where to go?"

I know some year I WILL break down, buy some blankets or even contact the Rescue Mission before I come to Denver to see how I can make a difference. I just can't imagine that these people have no one in their lives. I am definitely blessed to have family and friends across the country and around the world that I could call in a time of need, and crash on their couch or floor. I would be happy if a friend would offer me a bread and butter sandwich. These people are sleeping on concrete in sub-zero temperatures!

So, my wish for you friends, is this: if your life is ever so bad that you have no place to go or no where to turn, call me! I am here for you. I have room, beds, blankets, food. I may not be wealthy, but I pray I always have a roof in some form over my head and as long as I do, my house is open to you. And, when you are under my roof, there is nothing that you, me and God can't handle.

Mother Nature and Me

I'm starting to think that Ma Nature has a problem with me traveling to Denver. First, she gave me low visibility leaving my grandparents when I was supposed to fly to Phoenix for an ROV show right after Christmas. Then, Wednesday night/Thursday morning she visited the Midwest with the RAWEST, most bitter winds I think I've ever experienced as I was ready to leave St. Joseph in a loaded down 12-passenger van destined to Denver for this year's National Western.


I woke up Thursday morning, to 2-feet drifts in front of my house (south side), but my little Saturn got through the north side alley, to the office. I-29 was brutal, and I was a little afraid, but then I remembered my #1 co-pilot, God, and about 8:30, he and I and a van full of computer equipment, show awards, sale books, trade show booths and cloths, a blanket, snow shovel and bottled water headed south on I-29. It took me 1 1/2 hours to go the first 50 miles, to the Legends or Speedway area for those familiar, and I saw more than 30 cars and at least 6 semis in the ditches and median. I was creeping along about 35mph, reciting Psalm 23 frontward and backward and my knuckles were as white as the snow and ice covered road I was driving on. No, I wasn't blessed with an overload of common sense, just a lot of stubbornness and will power. I was only afraid twice when the van got a little squirly in the wind. When I headed west, the roads weren't totally covered in white, and about half way through Kansas, the roads became dry, and it was back to normal speeds for me and Gold (the van).



I-70 when I headed West

I appreciate my friends, family and co-workers who checked in on my during my drive, sent up prayers and posted words of encouragement to Facebook. Right now, I'm not planning to drive to Denver again until July for our National Junior Angus Show. I wonder what Mother Nature will have in store for me then?