My daughter is 16 years old. She and her horse recently participated in the county fair. She competed in many events and did very well overall. Fun to see your kid succeed.
Side note that will make more sense momentarily: I used to be a peace officer...but only for 27 years. I am retired now and have moved on with my life. My daughter is familiar with the highs and lows of my former occupation. I never hid the reality of it from my family. Some days were the best ever. Others were just horrible and continue to depress me if I spend too much time thinking about it.
Now back to the county fair. One event is freestyle reining. The kids get to dress up in costumes and even dress up their horses. They run their reining patterns to musical accompaniment that they pick out for themselves. My daughter decided that she was going to do a tribute to law enforcement for this event. She got one of my old forgotten uniform shirts out of the closet and pinned it up so it would fit her better. She ordered one of those Thin Blue Line American flags and I mounted it on a pole for her. I outfitted her with some gear to look more realistic. We put some flashing red and blue LED lights on her saddle. Right before the event started, I told her I would be honored if she would wear my old name plate on the shirt as she performed. She started to cry. I took that as a “yes”.
I was seated in the grandstand as she entered the arena on her horse and carrying that flag. And here’s the part that I really want you to absorb. George Straight started singing “The Weight if the Badge”. By the time she reached the center of the arena, every person there was standing. Hundreds of people came to a complete standstill. She planted that flag in the middle and ran her pattern. People remained standing. Every single person. When the song concluded, she retrieved the flag and rode out to cheering and applause. A standing ovation.
I cried the entire time. So did my wife. So did the deputy sheriff seated next to my wife. So did the lady sitting next to me. Maybe you had to be there.
That’s her in my avatar. It’s the least I can do for her. She is wonderful. I love her dearly.
Here’s the moral of the story. We see all this horse shit on the news and it gets you down. But I think most people love our country and respect our law enforcement officers. I know they do here.
Side note that will make more sense momentarily: I used to be a peace officer...but only for 27 years. I am retired now and have moved on with my life. My daughter is familiar with the highs and lows of my former occupation. I never hid the reality of it from my family. Some days were the best ever. Others were just horrible and continue to depress me if I spend too much time thinking about it.
Now back to the county fair. One event is freestyle reining. The kids get to dress up in costumes and even dress up their horses. They run their reining patterns to musical accompaniment that they pick out for themselves. My daughter decided that she was going to do a tribute to law enforcement for this event. She got one of my old forgotten uniform shirts out of the closet and pinned it up so it would fit her better. She ordered one of those Thin Blue Line American flags and I mounted it on a pole for her. I outfitted her with some gear to look more realistic. We put some flashing red and blue LED lights on her saddle. Right before the event started, I told her I would be honored if she would wear my old name plate on the shirt as she performed. She started to cry. I took that as a “yes”.
I was seated in the grandstand as she entered the arena on her horse and carrying that flag. And here’s the part that I really want you to absorb. George Straight started singing “The Weight if the Badge”. By the time she reached the center of the arena, every person there was standing. Hundreds of people came to a complete standstill. She planted that flag in the middle and ran her pattern. People remained standing. Every single person. When the song concluded, she retrieved the flag and rode out to cheering and applause. A standing ovation.
I cried the entire time. So did my wife. So did the deputy sheriff seated next to my wife. So did the lady sitting next to me. Maybe you had to be there.
That’s her in my avatar. It’s the least I can do for her. She is wonderful. I love her dearly.
Here’s the moral of the story. We see all this horse shit on the news and it gets you down. But I think most people love our country and respect our law enforcement officers. I know they do here.