It’s this time of year I wonder if I suffer from amnesia. We are deep in preparations for the county fair. With all the kids taking cattle to the fair, there is a great deal of preparation to do. The kids have been feeding and caring for their animals for months. They have participated in the activities and meetings necessary for 4-H commitments. They are working on their project books (as of this writing they have one day before their books are to be judged and they are STILL working on them.) They wash and brush them nearly daily since school has ended. But, the actual walking and practice to show the animal takes time. This is where I think of how much I forget. I forget how the animals have their own little quirks about walking, that they need to get used to the show stick, that they need to practice standing a certain way for the judge (and the repeat animal projects don’t remember this either!), that they don’t like the change from walking in grass to rocks. I forget that there is a trail of cow plops in the driveway and in the yard where cattle have been walked all over the property for exercise and preparation. I forget how the neighbors look as they drive by and see kids walking cattle in the yard and on the road.

However, I am delighted as I see how much progress the kids make every year. They may groan about the hours, but never about the success when the animal walks and behaves the way it is supposed to. While I sometimes forget how much the kids have grown and matured, they always amaze me in what they can do. They help each other. They bargain with each other for help. They seem to get each other wet with the hose. Their well-meaning advice and direction to each other is outwardly dismissed, but I think internally noted.

I am glad to be reminded each year how much we enjoy this part of our lives.