Not the End. Merely the Beginning.

I tried water polo but my horse drowned.

     As school is coming to an end, all of my friends are getting excited for their summer plans of relaxation. I on the other hand am awaiting a hectic summer. My summer is booked to the max with rodeo. I love rodeo so much that I let it over take my social life for the whole summer.
     I think it is horrible that some people don't know what rodeo is all about. Most kids in school don't know that I rodeo and may not even know that I own horses. I bet nearly every kid in Beulah High School could tell you at least five boys that play basketball. It is a shame that some sports go unnoticed. I practice just like all the other sports. I ride for an hour a day everyday and that doesn't include the hours spent caring for my horses everyday. Sport is defined as a competitive physical activity. Technically that means hobbies such as rodeo, dancing, and cheering should be recognized as sports.
     I am not asking for the smurf squad to come cheer for me at every rodeo. I simply just want kids to know there is such thing as rodeo. I would like for more people to compete and realize how much fun it is. As of now, I am the only high school student that rodeos from Beulah.
     My horse Dandy has the heart the size of Texas. He is always willing to give me his all. We have an incredible bond that is built all on trust. Sometimes, I feel as though I care more about him than my brother. I spoil him very much. After every run, I give him a whole apple and he gobbles it up. He has won the last three rodeos for me and we are currently third for the year-end in North Dakota. The top four go to nationals, so I hope to qualify for nationals again.
     You could be having as much fun as I do every weekend. All you need to do is start competing. If you live in town and are unable to own a horse, you are always welcome to come ride horse at my house. The only reason people own cats and dogs are because they live in the city, and they aren't allowed to have a horse.

Miracles

     Miracles happen in all shapes and forms. You just have to look for them. Whether it’s getting a lucky hand of cards, finding money, or surviving a near death experience. Personally I believe my 1/16^th Irish blood really gives me a fourth leaf on my clover. Through my years I have had three main miracles. 

     Pulver’s voice slowly fades into the background. Click. Those two? No I can make a strip candy there! Click. That pair? Whoa no there are more jelly over there!! Click. One more candy and 14 moves. I can do this. I can’t let my month and a half of practice fail me now. Click. I, I, I, did it? I did it!!

“Woohoo! I did it!!”

Courtney hears my yelling an immediately spins around, “You beat level 79!?!?”

We high five and Pulver gives us the eye.

“I just… figured out how to name that Alkane,” I quickly attempt to cover for my disruption.

Pulver’s chuckle proves to me that my cover was blown.

     Finally the raging water had gone down. Huge tree trunks filled the small gap beneath the bridge. My mom was on the creek bank and waiting on me. My task was simple. I was in charge of rapping a large metal chain around one of the huge logs. The chain was heavy for my arms that were much smaller at the time. As I stuck my hand in between two pieces of wood, I creature the size of my hand jumped onto the tree trunk I was standing on. I quickly ran for the bank. The Wolf Spider chased after me with its legs as big as fingers. Tears began racing down my checks. Once I reach the safety of the old wooden bridge, I notice my body is shaking in fear from my hands to my knees.

     Today is Lumberjack Day. I have never completely understood why each day of homecoming week has to have a theme. I hop into my truck wear my “lumberjack hat.” The sky is still pitch black due to it being 6:30 AM. Our FFA Parliamentary Procedure morning practice is the reason for this very early drive. My dim lights shine on to the continuous gravel road. I use my dims because they are brighter than my brights which are pointed straight at the ground. Suddenly a deer is right in front of me. I firmly press the breaks but the deer is just too close.

Poomff!! Psst!

Lost in confusion, I realize that the dust in the air must have come out with the airbags. The huge airbags make the road not visible. As the deflated, I see I am headed straight into the right ditch. I quickly crank the wheel left. The shifty gravel throws me directly towards the left ditch. My rims catch. I begin to roll. This is going to total my pickup for sure. Crack. Roll. Crack.

     It’s funny how a person reacts to these life miracles. Reactions such as over excitement, over emotional, and even over calm often happen. To this day, I am still unsure why my life never flashed before my eyes as I was rolling. My only thought was that I would wreck my prized truck. I had no concern of the face that I could die. If it were to happen over again, I know the second time around my life would flash before my eyes. Yet, I also know that I would still be just as calm because I know that my Savior Jesus Christ is in charge of all of the miracles in my life.