Hearing clipper blades buzz and seeing cows in the chute as my kids prepare for the county fair certainly brings back memories. This is the fifteenth year that my daughter, Cassie, has shown cows. Eleven of those are as a 4-H member.
The memories run deep. It seems like yesterday that I strapped her baby brother, Jacob, in a front pack while I helped her and her older brother, Tyler, walk show heifers when she was just four years old. Cassie cried that her heifer was going to step on her toes and I told Cassie to sing to her heifer – that would calm her down. So, Cassie sang “You Are My Sunshine” while we walked heifers. I swear, now when I hear that song, I bawl like a baby. While that song calmed down her heifer, it reminds me just how fast time goes by.
We had years that county fair coincided with triple-digit temperatures and years when kids sported rubber boots because the rain was nonstop. We are thankful this year’s weather was fabulous.
Creating Champion Memories
The majority of the years captured champion memories. Not just because the kids sported a lot of hardware and took home purple ribbons. It was more about their attitude that exemplified leadership, strong work ethic and commitment. Years when I witnessed the kids washing and clipping their show string by themselves and working together when it was fair time—feeding, haying, bedding down, washing, and milking the cows. This provided me with a token of hope and reminded me “Yes, they do know how to work together and get along.”
I jokingly say that dairy farmers who show must be passionate—or crazy—to spend your free time showing cows, but truthfully, I think it takes an equal amount of both. When I look over at ringside on show day, my heart widens with gratitude. Older generations are smiling big cheering the younger generations on. For a few moments it seemed like all is well with the world.
Future Leaders in the Making
The county fair reminds many of us just how special farm kids are. For my kids, it’s the one of the few times that they are able to gather with kids who also have to rise early and care for livestock. Despite being in the land of John Deere and thousands of acres of corn rows surrounding us, they are one of the very few farm kids that attend their school.
Last weekend, Cassie was awarded a leadership award by Rock Island County 4-H. Someone asked her what she did to deserve that award, and she replied, “I don’t know. I guess I just showed up and worked hard.” The reason behind her award had a lot to do with leadership and good sportsmanship over the years. I smiled because I’ve always told my kids that half of success is showing up and the other half is hard work. If you know how to do both – the sky is the limit on future success.
A Bittersweet Farewell
One thing I’m extremely proud of is that despite what placing Cassie stood over the years, she always kept her poise. One year her cow, Gillie, was a knucklehead and didn’t cooperate at the State Fair. Cassie fought back tears, although she never cried in the ring. Later she told me she was so disappointed in Gillie. “She knows how to behave, mom!” I jokingly asked if she sang to Gille. Cassie replied with a grin.
“You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when the skies are gray. You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
And, just like that, my sunshine is done showing in 4-H. I hope my daughter realizes just how much enjoyment she brought both her mom and dad when she had a leather show halter in her hand. She illustrated superb showmanship skills, true commitment and strong work ethic. She deserves to end her 4-H career with purple ribbons and to be honored in front of a crowd, illustrating what the program is all about.
Let’s continue to applaud all the kids who participate in 4-H and FFA and exhibit at the county fair. The lessons they learn are difficult to duplicate anywhere else and the memories will be cherished for a lifetime.
