I firmly believe that life requires a cheering section- some people who have your back and encourage you in all your joys and trials. I’m pretty sure I believe in this cheering section idea because I grew up with such a strong one. A family who loved me enough to encourage and support me on both the best and worst days, who reminded me who I was and whose I was, told me not all days would be this hard in the tough times, and kept me humble because not all days would be as amazing as the good ones. I’m thankful to still have the support and influence of that cheering section, and that they are helping me pass that on to the next generation.
I realize how incredibly blessed I was (and still am) to
have that kind of a family, that isn’t the way it happens in all homes. I have two awesome parents who work hard,
serve others, give of their time, talents, and resources, and are fully committed
to their faith, family, and each other.
They are a pretty epic example in my opinion. A little over a week ago, I was able to
capture some of my favorite photos of them that I have ever taken. They are not perfectly posed photos, they are
actually a little blurry, and the lighting isn’t amazing, but the moment they
captured will forever be etched in my heart.
At the recent American Angus Convention, my dad was elected
to serve on the Board of Directors of the American Angus Association. This is a huge honor and responsibility, and a
dream has been on his heart for several years now. He has committed his entire career to the
beef cattle industry and the Angus breed in particular- and my mom has been
there right beside him for the past 40+ years of that time. While she doesn’t work cows beside him, she
is the cheering section that has his back, picks him up, keeps him humble, and
makes sure his shirt and tie are appropriately coordinated when he is headed
off the farm for events. For years I
have watched them work together to support the industry and the people behind
the livestock, I can’t help but be proud of them. And because our parents were always there for
us, it was an easy decision for the three of us girls to be at the convention supporting
Dad’s run for the board. The morning of
the election meeting, we sat with Mom (and part of the son-in-laws and
grandkids) towards the back of the room, while Dad was up front in the area
where he was supposed to be sitting with the Indiana voting delegates. After the results of the election were announced,
we were able to clap and smile broadly, but since there was other official
meeting business for the delegates to vote on, it was nearly another hour
before things adjourned and we were able to physically see Dad. When the time came, my mom made a beeline for
the front of the room, and I followed after her with my camera in hand. I was able to capture the moment she got to
hug him in congratulations, the cowboy kiss his best girl in thanks for her support,
and the look of joy on both of their faces.
This was honestly a celebration for both of them, something they had worked
for together- Dad out front, and Mom in the cheering section. They make me proud to be their daughter. They make me hope that some day my grown
children will look at (A) and me the way I look at them. They encourage me to show our kids how to be
a part of the cheering section.
“And let us consider how we may spur oen another on
toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the
day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
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