I Believe

This is the final week of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and I have not set foot on the grounds of NRG in two years. That thought depresses me. I miss it, not the rodeo or concerts, those are fun, but to be honest it’s the stock shows I miss most.

I miss the early mornings of watching kids bringing in their animals while parents are preparing the feed. I miss little ones asleep in wagons getting in just a few more minutes of shut-eye before the chaos begins. I miss the sounds echoing off the walls, the smell of the shavings, and the manure (yup, I like that smell). I miss the “stock show quiet” before the public shows up to walk through in their fancy outfits taking pictures and pointing things out to their kids in strollers. (If you know, you know). I miss the people that become family just because you’ve shown with them all over the state of Texas.

I’ve seen kids graduate from high school and college, get married, and have babies. I’ve prayed for them, cried with them, laughed with them, and shared countless meals with them. We’ve seen each other at our worst and at our best, we’ve jumped in and helped without being asked, we’ve shaken a lot of hands and given even more hugs. We are a family of crazy people that choose to dedicate our days and nights watching our children “Walk cows around in a circle and poke them with sticks.” (Thank you Mattie B. for that quote that I never tire of using).

I’ve watched my children show hogs, heifers, chickens, and steers at shows all over this state and once in Arkansas. I’ve proudly witnessed them win banners, buckles, ribbons, trophies, scholarships, and various awards.

I’ve watched them get sifted or placed last, and as they left the ring they would tip their head towards their animal and tell them how proud they were of them no matter where they placed.

When you watch your children care for and take pride in something before themselves, you’ll see them in a totally unselfish way that isn’t usually thought of for adolescents and teens. These animals have to be cared for even when school is out and they could be sleeping in. They have to be fed and watered when it’s freezing or pouring down rain; and Christmas presents wait to be opened until the cows are brought in. I believe that when you have livestock, selfishness can’t exist.

Stock show kids are a rare breed that still say ‘yes ma’am and no sir’, they tip their hats and hold doors. They’re not perfect, and on show day the nerves will definitely make the nasty attitude come out, but more often than not you’ll see a respect that makes you regain hope in the future generations.

My youngest was robbed of her final show season by COVID. We were in the load in line when HLSR 2020 was shut down, and we were sent home. Hopefully, next season we’ll have one or two walking in those green shavings again, and we’ll finally be back. While it won’t be my kids showing, it will be the product of their hard work and dedication over the years that made it possible for others to show. I know without a doubt that when we step back into it, it will feel like home.

I wasn’t raised in a barn, but I got my family there as fast as I could because I believe there’s no better place to raise a child.

My whole entire world doing my most favorite thing - showing together