Shotguns and Rodeos

This past week has taught me a lot about life, my family and shotguns. 

Last week, I lost my grandfather - who lost his long battle with cancer.  He was a prominent physician in the area; so prominent that very few didn't know him personally or know of him.  He was a great man.

His death brought the entire family together for a week's worth of activities.  Some of these family members I see so infrequently that it was a blessing to see them and spend time with them, despite the exhaustion that came with all the visits.  One of these visits included a trip to my aunt and uncle's ranch south of town near Butte Community College - to shoot clay pigeons.

I have never shot a shotgun before and hadn't the slightest clue about what I was doing.  Fear ran through my veins as shotgun ammo was placed by my teacher in the pockets of my sweatshirt, but only briefly.  I knew I would be faced with the question, "Sara, you ready?"

So, I stepped up and said, "Yes!  Let's do it."  But I needed a lesson from my teacher.  Nick had taught me how to climb a rock wall before, so I knew he could help me with this next venture.

After a short lesson from a great teacher, I grabbed the shotgun and called out, "Pull."  I honestly don't remember if I hit the first pigeon.  Pretty sure I missed.  But it didn't matter.  I did it.  I shot the shotgun.

"Pull," I sang out again.  This time it was a hit. 

Several rounds and close to 200 clay pigeons later, we called it and headed into the house for some turkey chili and family visiting. 

The next day would bring the last day of this hectic and emotional week of hanging with the crazy family.  It was rodeo time.

In our family, we have a resident rodeo star.  There is nothing this 15-year-old can't do, especially when it comes to goat-tying; she is the international goat-tying champion.

Three of us made the drive to Cottonwood to watch Courtney ride three different horses and claim her spot to Challenge - not knowing much about rodeo, this is a big deal.  The couple of hours we spent at the rodeo, I was reminded of gymnastics and track meets when I was in high school.  Suddenly, I felt very old.

So what did I take home from the crazy family induced week full of visiting, food, drink, shotguns and rodeo?

I learned that life is too short not to take risks and chances.  It may be exhausting, but the results are worth the effort expended.  All I need to do is remind myself to breathe, eat well and keep pushing to that point just beyond my comfort level.  Keep reminding myself, "Pain is in the vicinity of victory."  Just like in running; the finish line seems just too many steps away. 

I have never not finished a race, and I don't plan to quit now.  I am forging a new path to victory to create a legacy that may be worthy of my late grandpa and even my younger rodeo queen cousin.