Cowboy Tough

I attended two funerals this week. I would have attended three if one had not been in Utah. Three Good Men. It has me contemplating things, life, health. How we live our lives and what really matters. 

I went to an old cowboys funeral today

He was tough as nails his old buddies did say

But he loved his wife fiercely,

children, grand children too

He feared God, served his country, fought all the way through

It made me think of Grandpa 

I felt right at home

In the midst of farmers, hard working sowing, 

They know a broncos hot breath

Cowboy boots, hats, and Wranglers 

The outfit they wear doesn't determine the fit, 

Of a man whose life was lived with true grit. 

It's the heart of those men that is soft and giving

The love of their family makes this life worth living

And then I wondered where all the cowboys had gone?

Where are the men tough as nails and strong

The ones just like Grandpa who worked all the day

Then came home at night ready to play

He'd wrestle us, whisker burn us, giddy up on his knee

Is the generation gone? And...what about my son? 

I thought on the pew as the funeral had begun

He has cowboys legacy not from just one family but two

Is there cowboy still in there to work and to play

Or are our boys drowning in school everyday

In this technological age how does a man do it?

With a cowboy heart 

Is that why some numb it? 

With videogames, cell phones, drugs, and vaping

Maybe some things need changing

Let the boys outside

Let them ride horses or quads

Let them explore, work hard, and race their cars

Let them blow up stuff and go to the lake

Let them light off those fireworks that came home by mistake

For how can a boy with a cowboy heart focus all day when school starts? 

These were the things running through my brain

At my friends, Dads funeral I went to today

But that is not all, what about the women?

The cowboys protection and safe haven

What about the daughters and granddaughters with a cowboy heart? 

Tough as nails, true grit, soft and sweet and sometimes swearing

I thought of the women in my life...no troubles sparing

Our cowboy heart shines its way through

When faced with sore trials as many of us do

We face the challenges with grit everyday

Grandmothers, Mothers, Sisters and Friends

I watch you fight the good fight with sophistication and grace

So when your kids are rough housing and you feel like you live in a zoo

Or life's troubles are washing over you

When you watch your friend work three double shifts in a row

Or your Dad's brother takes his very last breath

When you know your in the ring of fire

Your friends Dad lost his life to cancer

Or when a friend just can't fight anymore 

Loses the battle with mental and emotional health

When the money is tight and your not sure how you'll get through it

Or you've been single for so long you just think...oh Hell screw it

Your kid gets suspended 

If there's sickness and your a tired caregiver

The problems are many BUT

Just remember.

Where you came from

you got this,

With true cowboy grit,

Pull on those boots 

because your 

cowboy tough