Country Music has a soul. It speaks to each of us and usually sends a powerful message. The song by Robert Earl Keen has always been a favorite of mine. The other day my dad and I did something that I could not have imagined. We packed up our cattle trailer with the show equipment for the last time.
Almost a year ago my nephews attended their last cattle show. Dad and I made the decision that we would take a break from raising cattle. Back in the fall Dad and I decided we would sell our trailer. The way we look at it is, if we have the money to get back into cattle. We will have the money to get another trailer.
I posted a couple of ads online to see what kind of nibbles we would get on the trailer. Surprisingly we did not have a lot of people rushing to ask about it. Dad and I are pretty patient people. We have not been in a hurry to sell the trailer, we were not worried and decided it would sell when it was time. The last to inquire was a good potential buyer and we were hopeful they would take the offer.
About two weeks past and the last potential buyer sent me a text me saying they did not think they could afford the offer. I said no problem and let it alone. About a month later they sent me another text and asked if we had sold the trailer. I said yes and they asked if we would sell just the tack we offered with the trailer. I said yes and shot him a price. After a few haggles we had a deal. They decided to take the trailer and tack we offered at a good price.
I got home that night from work and Dad asked if it was done. I said yes and they would be by the next day to pick it up with the money. Dad and I went to dinner as we normally do on Friday evenings and were pleased with everything. We felt like it was the best and right decision.
We got up Saturday morning at our normal time. We talked, drank our coffee and had a bite of breakfast. Then we started packing the trailer. Packing the trailer is not a hard task. This time though it was a somber task. The people we sold the trailer too are a young family not far from us. They have a couple of young kids just getting into showing. We agreed to let certain items go with the trailer. As we were packing we kept finding things to throw in the trailer. Items that we had no use for and for us had not a lot of sentimental value.
After it was all done, the only thing these people will need to show is a couple of calves, brush, combs, and maybe some misc supplies. When we were done packing the trailer I looked back into the trailer and started to cry. It was a day I was expecting, just not the feeling it would leave with me. For those that know me are aware that for all of my life I have been around cattle and livestock shows. That is what I did from the youngest age. I would not change any of it and cherish every memory I have on the road.
I think the important point I want people to take away is that everything we do has an impact on our lives and those around us. No matter what we are going through it is only temporary. Friends come and sometimes go. Bad times will pass and good times will come again. Rough patches prepare us for better things ahead.
The Stock Show season has come to an end with Austin this week. Seniors will be graduating and going to college, freshman will be looking forward to no longer being the new kids on the block. Life is meant to be lived to the fullest. Remember to let go of all grudges and hate, just never forget what it taught you at the time.
"The road goes on forever and the party never ends." ~ Robert Earl Keen
Almost a year ago my nephews attended their last cattle show. Dad and I made the decision that we would take a break from raising cattle. Back in the fall Dad and I decided we would sell our trailer. The way we look at it is, if we have the money to get back into cattle. We will have the money to get another trailer.
I posted a couple of ads online to see what kind of nibbles we would get on the trailer. Surprisingly we did not have a lot of people rushing to ask about it. Dad and I are pretty patient people. We have not been in a hurry to sell the trailer, we were not worried and decided it would sell when it was time. The last to inquire was a good potential buyer and we were hopeful they would take the offer.
About two weeks past and the last potential buyer sent me a text me saying they did not think they could afford the offer. I said no problem and let it alone. About a month later they sent me another text and asked if we had sold the trailer. I said yes and they asked if we would sell just the tack we offered with the trailer. I said yes and shot him a price. After a few haggles we had a deal. They decided to take the trailer and tack we offered at a good price.
I got home that night from work and Dad asked if it was done. I said yes and they would be by the next day to pick it up with the money. Dad and I went to dinner as we normally do on Friday evenings and were pleased with everything. We felt like it was the best and right decision.
We got up Saturday morning at our normal time. We talked, drank our coffee and had a bite of breakfast. Then we started packing the trailer. Packing the trailer is not a hard task. This time though it was a somber task. The people we sold the trailer too are a young family not far from us. They have a couple of young kids just getting into showing. We agreed to let certain items go with the trailer. As we were packing we kept finding things to throw in the trailer. Items that we had no use for and for us had not a lot of sentimental value.
After it was all done, the only thing these people will need to show is a couple of calves, brush, combs, and maybe some misc supplies. When we were done packing the trailer I looked back into the trailer and started to cry. It was a day I was expecting, just not the feeling it would leave with me. For those that know me are aware that for all of my life I have been around cattle and livestock shows. That is what I did from the youngest age. I would not change any of it and cherish every memory I have on the road.
I think the important point I want people to take away is that everything we do has an impact on our lives and those around us. No matter what we are going through it is only temporary. Friends come and sometimes go. Bad times will pass and good times will come again. Rough patches prepare us for better things ahead.
The Stock Show season has come to an end with Austin this week. Seniors will be graduating and going to college, freshman will be looking forward to no longer being the new kids on the block. Life is meant to be lived to the fullest. Remember to let go of all grudges and hate, just never forget what it taught you at the time.
"The road goes on forever and the party never ends." ~ Robert Earl Keen
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