This morning my family returned home from being in Olds/ Calgary for the past week. My brothers and I got the opportunity to compete in the Provincial Beef Heifer Show as well as the second annual Summer Synergy. Ty ended up receiving a $2000 dollar scholarship, and I received an $1000 dollar one as well. Meeting the sponsors was great for Ty and I. It really impacted us to see personally how much they like to be acknowledged. We always send our twenty or so thank you cards out every summer, but there’s something to be said for a thank you face to face.
With that being said all in all the week was a success. But really it’s not the prizes, ribbons or grand champion slaps I’m thinking of…
It’s the people…
The friends you haven’t seen in nearly a year. Breaking into a run the moment you saw them in the barn. Noting that they may be a bit taller, and their hair was a bit lighter, but they still had that same bring it on attitude and lightning quick smile you remember so well.
The parents, telling you how much you’ve grown. Reminding you how far you’ve come because it was a short fifteen years ago you were just starting out as an awkward peewee.
The kids you grew up looking to as role models. Shaking their heads at how time flies. Stating that they had little to do with who you’ve become even though you know they taught you more than anyone knows.
The kids that make you smile. The ones who you used to be. That show you why these junior shows are your favourite place to be. The ones that would follow you nearly everywhere if they didn’t have their eight o’clock curfew.
All these people explain things you can’t put into words, because you know you owe everything to the days spent in Lacombe, Bashaw, Olds or wherever you may have been. Learning, teaching and utilizing skills and talents that will stick with you for many days to come.
That is why this week of early mornings and late nights (which progressively got later as the seven days wore on) were bliss. All the bruises and scrapes were worth it. All the cans of tail adhesive, the lost wash brushes and blown breakers were small prices to pay. All the Tim Runs, nights spent with 8- 10 people in a 5 men tent, is what you’re going to remember.
There are friends and there are best friends. There are stories you tell for a month and then there are memories that are brought up ten years down the road. There are legacies, and then there are legends. Who knows, maybe we will be both.
