"Grandpa, I gotta tell you something. Today is National Freedom Day!"
Instituted in the 1940s as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln for ending the slave trade, this first day of February stands as a monument to a truth we hold dear. An individual's right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, regardless of race, creed or color, is as important today as it was two hundred years ago. Many will choose to honor this day by participating in activities that focus on freedom, but for the guy and gal who choose to celebrate by riding a wild bull, well, we'll stand up and cheer for that liberty too.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." I would go one step further and add, "...or hold on tight for at least eight seconds." Although Lincoln was most likely referring to moral character rather than doling out wild bull and horseback riding lessons, his words ring true in all arenas of life, even in the small country town in the southern part of Utah County.
Last July, during Spanish Fork's 2011 Fiesta Days rodeo, Mr. T and I gathered our family and friends for our annual sojourn to the Spanish Fork fair grounds.
We love the energy that comes from mixing wild bulls and testosterone, and our kids love the endless supply of sugar that Grandpa Skip so lovingly distributes in fifteen minute intervals. We have made the rodeo excursion a family tradition, and I have enjoyed bringing to life some of the pictures that have been laying unattended since the birth of baby Emerson.
Spanish Fork's youngest buckaroos were dressed and ready to wrangle up some Wild West adventure. It is customary in these parts to wear the appropriate color plaid shirt to accent one's eyes and bring out the sparkle in a young boy's smile.
Xavier, who wasted no time getting to know the ladies in the group (see pink booted cowgirl above), was kind enough to share his hat with Emerson and tip it to the side when a cute girl walked by.
One of my favorite activities during the opening ceremonies is when all the veterans are recognized for their service to our country. It warms my heart to see my dad stand and humbly wave to the crowd while a chorus of "thank you" echoes all around. This happens just prior to the presentation of the flag, and I will forever be impressed by the eclectic array of men and women who have courageously fought for our freedoms and continue to fight for them today.
During one of the breaks, this barrelman visited our section to high-five all the kids. Xavier was thrilled to meet a real cowboy, who only added to his sugar-induced euphoria of the night.
This cowgirl showed off her mad acrobatic skills in between wrastlin' steers and team ropin' calves. While she was tumbling, twirling and defying the laws of gravity, Xavier took aim at her team of horses.
X-Man, who will now be known as Cool Hand X-Man, successfully shot and fired with precision while little bro watched in amazement.
Emerson was wide-eyed and wide-mouthed through most of the evening. He particularly enjoyed the mutton busters and high octane specialty acts, but what man doesn't love an event that involves daredevils, trucks and flames?
It is a great privilege to live in a community that celebrates traditional values and the spirit of the individual. We have been given the opportunity to partake of the good culture that surrounds us and enjoy the talents of others. A new stadium is currently under construction, and I look forward to our visit again this summer, as the men and women of the rodeo will be sure to entertain and inspire a new generation of riders and ropers.
1 comment:
Dad looks really young in that one pic with X. I can't wait for summer to come back!!
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