by Julie Carter
In the hearts of men is born a sense of adventure, a yearning to see what's over the next hill.
Today's
world makes dreams seem very fragile as they shimmer from afar at what
appears to be an unattainable distance. I find great hope in realizing
that no matter the condition or the circumstances, there is still that
burning desire to climb tall mountains, sail endless seas and travel
toward the horizons that never end.
Last
October, a young Arkansas cowboy decided to not become like the old men
at the coffee shop that talked endlessly about things they wished they
done when they were young and could.
He
heard the disappointment in their voices and the regret in their words.
So he sold what he could of what he owned to bankroll his dream.
He
saddled his horse, tied a bedroll to the back of the saddle, slid a
rifle in the saddle scabbard, filled the saddlebags with a few
necessities and struck out for the California coast.
At the age of 20 his plan was, and still is, to ride until his horse steps into the Pacific Ocean.
Four
months later, he is half way there. Against the odds and in spite of
the doubts of those that didn't think he could get it done, he has
serpentined his way across several states as the call of adventure keeps
him moving west.
The
looming dangers of such an endeavor are lost to youthful oblivion. The
goodness of the people he has met drives a lesson about mankind deep
into his soul. While living his dream, this cowboy is building a
framework of manhood that will form the very essence of his character
for the rest of his life.
Another dream, another way of life
The
three of them laughed and poked fun at each other as they loaded their
gear bags in the van, ready to the hit the road for yet another all
night drive. Fort Worth was in their rear view mirror and Rapid City, South Dakota was in their sights.
The
dream is rodeo. It is a siren's song to many, but a way to make a
living for only a relative few. These three cowboys have conquered the
financial plan and spend every day pushing the future their direction.
With
the skill to keep the dream alive, they crossed two continents
side-to-side, top to bottom, to spend eight seconds with a hack rein in
their hand and 1,200 pounds of bronc exploding under their saddle.
Airports,
hotels, gas stations and fast-food stops become the nuts and bolts of
long days and longer nights between arenas in cities and towns that read
like the lists in the back pages of an atlas.
All
in their 20s, one comes from so far north in Canada that Google Maps
struggles to find it. Another hails from the cold winters of South
Dakota but now calls New Mexico home, where the third is a native.
National
titles, Canadian and American, put buckles on their belts and patches
on their "letter" jackets announcing their accomplishments. But none of
those things are what orchestrates the song in their hearts.
A
quick layover at the ranch between the rodeos and long miles briefly
quiets the adrenaline that nourishes their perpetual dream.
The
hum of traffic and the roar of crowds give way to the silence of
solitude. Horses stomp at the corral gate waiting to be fed and cattle
trail by to the water tank. All sounds of home.
This
is the other half of the dream, the dream of the future beyond rodeo --
in place and waiting for that day when the cowboy comes home to stay.
Let
the courage of these young men remind us that dreams are for living.
Even if they need adjusted for appropriate age and circumstance, don't
let yours fall by the wayside.
1/30/11
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