As I was driving home tonight, I saw several different rabbits dart across the rural road I was on. Seeing those rabbits weaving in and out of my headlights reminded me of riding in my dad’s pickup when I was much younger. I can remember leaving a pasture as dusk enveloped us and seeing jack rabbits dart in front of the pickup’s headlights. Dad and I both would have our windows rolled down and the summer breeze would cool the cab of the pickup. I loved those rides with my dad. It never seemed like we talked much (probably because we couldn’t have heard each other over the wind rushing through the cab), but I always felt so special because I spent time with my dad.

This past week I spent time with my family on vacation. On two different evenings, the family sat and watch Professional Bull Riding (PBR). I don’t generally watch bull riding, but it does remind me of growing up and working cattle with my dad. It should be no surpirise that one of the things I enjoyed most about the trip was imaginary bull riding with my nephews. Our bull riding would have looked much more like playing on swings to other people. My nephews, Jalapeno Hal and Little Britches, would saddle up on their swings and ride their bulls for as long as they could. After the bull bucked at least five times (five pushes on the swing), Jalapeno Hal and Little Britches would take turns getting bucked off (jumping from the swing and staggering to the ground) their bulls. I would rate each ride on a scale of 1 to 100 always taking into consideration the difficulty of the bull. I’m sure I enjoyed our imaginary bull riding more than my nephews. We certainly played it several times during the week!

Maybe when my nephews are adults and are swinging their kids, they will remember how special they were to me during our bull riding sessions. I still believe nothing is as important to kids as our undivided attention and love. I believe that because my parents gave me the gift of undivided attention and love. I still remember jack rabbits and hope my nephews will remember bull riding.

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