We went to the OK state fair a couple weeks ago and you found a new interest... mutton bustin. You watched about 12 kids get thrown from sheep but were determined to get out there and do it. So I took you back two days after you turned 4 and became eligible. You eagerly told the emcee that you were going to be a cowboy when you grow up and that as soon as you have some money you'll buy a horse that you can ride. When a volunteer was requested, you insisted that you go first.
About a second out of the chute, your sheep started to spin. About four seconds out of the chute, you hit the ground hard. Not bad for your first time mutton bustin, but my heart stopped as I recognized the combination of shock and fear cross your face. It was at that moment I realized that you had never pictured yourself hitting the ground. Even though every other child fell off at some point, you saw yourself riding that sheep all the way around the arena and stepping off in a very dignified manner. You never even considered the fact that you would be like every other child and fall off.
The burly and slightly crusty emcee ran over to you and helped you up. He saw your lip quiver and whispered to you, "Son, you don't want to cry in front of all these folks. Show them you're a cowboy and give them a wave." Sure enough, his words of encouragement stopped those tears before they left the ducts. You marched back to me with your head held high even though you were still a bit shell schocked.
I was so incredibly proud of you! Not just for being brave, but for never even taking into consideration the fact that you might fail like all the others. You saw yourself triumphing where everyone else didn't, and I hope that no amount of hitting the ground ever takes that from you. And just so you know, within an hour you were ready to get back on that sheep and show him who was boss.
(The picture of you in the gear was pre-sheep. The picture of you looking shell shocked was post-sheep.)
