Wild and Free

Last night, John and I got to go on a date, just the two of us. Naturally, we went to the rodeo. The Livingston Roundup is a professional rodeo held in Livingston, Montana every year over the fourth of July. The event, which has been popular since 1924, draws 10,000 people who come from all over the country to see cowboys cling to bucking horses and bulls for as long as their adrenaline-pumped bodies will allow; and watch cowgirls maneuver horses around barrels at full speed. All while drinking beers and eating elephant ears (the spectators, that is). What could be better.

I realized I’ve been living up North too long when I felt sad for the young calf whose feet were being tied together by some cowboy he’d never met, just after an unexpected jerk of the neck had yanked him to the ground. Everyone in the crowd waited on pins and needles to see if that calf would stay put for six seconds and make the cowboy a champion, and all I could think was: ‘Poor little guy. There he was, just thinking it was a big party with his friends. And that’s some mama cow’s baby.’

And there you have it...it’s the Mom in me. My daughter came into this world and opened up places in my heart I never knew existed. And now that they’ve burst open I’m unable reign in my urge to love, protect and nurture.

But I luuuuv me a good rodeo. I do. People of all ages and walks of life - their eyes filled with the freedom of summer; their boots and jeans collecting dust - gather in one arena to watch a great tradition of the Wild West. It’s a celebration of community and tradition; of the wild hearts and free spirit that created our country and continue to make it thrive. 

Happy birthday, U.S.A. And may we continue to live wild and free!