An Open Thank-You Letter To All Rodeo Moms

An Open Thank-You Letter To All Rodeo Moms

An open thank-you letter from a rodeo kid to all rodeo moms.

May 14, 2017 by Cassie Emerson Emerson
An Open Thank-You Letter To All Rodeo Moms
Parents or parental figures play a huge part in our lives--the successes, the failures, the recovering from failing, and everything in between. So a simple "thank you" doesn't seem adequate, especially for parents of athletes. Parents are often far more entertaining and invested than the athlete--the cheering, matching shirts, yelling, throwing of things, mimicking the motions of the athletes (or the motions they think they should be making), and of course the unending, die-hard support of their child and/or their child's team.

But, today I want to focus on the moms. Moms should have more than one day devoted to them during the year. Let's be real, where would we be without moms? They are the true superheroes. They are often the first person we call when "disaster" hits and the last person who gets a thank you. They are the first ones up and the last ones to bed. They sacrifice their lives and goals to watch us chase our dreams.

However, I am going to go even further to be particularly biased and say NOTHING compares to a rodeo mom.

I want to take the time to say THANK YOU to ALL the rodeo moms out there.

* * *

Dear Rodeo Mom,

It is impossible to put into words everything I appreciate about you or adequately express my appreciation for you--from who you are as a person, to the person you raised me to be, everything about you is amazing. First of all, thank you for never giving up--on our family or on me. You have always exemplified strength, determination, and hard work in every aspect of your life. You have been my support system and my greatest fan from the beginning.

Thank you for the countless hours you spend in the practice pen--it can be a battle zone at times, and your unending support never wavers. Thank you for never complaining about the late nights of "only one more," when we both know that actually means another pen, another horse, and another "only one more." Thank you for talking me through the frustration when the practice pen isn't going my way. Thank you for offering to tune on my horses when I'm struggling and frustrated. Thank you for keeping them exercised while I'm away, but I really want to enter the rodeo this weekend. Thank you for feeding and caring for my horses and animals just the way I do when I drop them off at your house to embark on another adventure. Thank you for answering ALL my questions about my animals and their care while I am away.

Thank you for telling me what I NEED to hear, even if it isn't what I WANT to hear. Thank you for cheering me on when I need it most, but never letting me act like a brat without hearing about it.

Thank you for the miles you have driven to get me places or to just come watch. Thank you for always happily agreeing to go, even when you know I just need help driving those late nights. Thank you for staying on the phone all night so I don't fall asleep driving.

Thank you for NEVER missing an entry and always making sure the paperwork is just right. Thank you for the hours you spent "calling in" to rodeos you aren't entering and making sure all my friends get entered too. Thank you for countless loads of laundry you have washed and unending trips to the dry cleaners so my jeans have the perfect starch.

Thank you for all the errands you run to ensure I leave on time--cleaners, pharmacy, post office, feed store, vet, and everywhere else. Thank you for being the world's best multi-tasker. Thank you for keeping it all together with a smile on your face.

Thank you for the hours you spend at the vet's office and understanding my love for all my animals. Thank you for helping with all the care and rehab. Thank you for sitting up all night to see if a horse poops and spending your lunch break to go home to soak a horse's foot or doctor a wound.

Thank you for making sure the trailer is clean and packed with everything I need or might need. Thank you for knowing exactly where something is when I call in a panic because I can't find it. Thank you for understanding my quirks and always making sure everything is just perfect for me.

Thank you for the hours you spend in the stands writing down times. Thank you for always filming me and all my friends from the correct angle and letting us watch it over and over again. Thank you for holding the camera steady even when the run/ ride gets a little hairy, but you know we will want to see the "wreck." Thank you for always telling me like it is--from the missed starts, horrible loops, hit barrels, and everything else. Thank you for letting me know it is OK to lose, as long as I am trying and putting in the effort. Thank you for teaching me to be a graceful loser and a humble winner.

Thank you for always making sure my bank account is up to par, because you know it has been a rough few weeks (or months). Thank you for reminding me I can't win if I am not entered. Thank you for teaching me life isn't fair. Thank you for teaching me the judges' decision is final. Thank you for teaching me to treat people with respect--especially rodeo personnel and committees. Thank you for not only teaching me, but also letting me figure things out on my own.

Thank you for always welcoming me and all my friends "home" (even when I'm not home). Thank you for adopting all my friends as your kids, because you know their parents do the same for me. Thank you for never complaining about my mess or when I bring ropes, saddles, bits, and whatever else into your house. Thank you for those late-night suppers after the practice pen, jackpot, or rodeo. Thank you for those early morning breakfasts before I'm on to the next one. Thank you for always delivering lunch to the practice pen or making a Sonic run.

Thank you for encouraging me to keep going when I want to throw in the towel. Thank you for the unending support and prayers--ALL the prayers. Thank you for the life lessons you have taught me through rodeo. Thank you for showing me there is so much more to life than rodeo, and to always follow my heart and passion. Thank you for supporting my every decision, even if it follows a different path than the advice you have given. Thank you for setting an example that is second to none. Thank you for teaching and showing me unconditional love. Thank you for being the best mom in and out of the arena. Thank you for setting the bar high when it comes to being a mom--and a person. Thank you for being my shoulder to cry on, as well as my biggest cheerleader, and my best friend.

Being a rodeo mom isn't for the faint of heart--it takes a special person, and you make it look easy. For that, I say THANK YOU!

"Mothers and children are never truly apart--maybe in distance, but never at heart."

You are the biggest blessing in my life.

Love always,

Your Rodeo Kid


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