Quote of the day:
"That thing about the executions in Iran is really disturbing. Not that it's the only country to have such draconian policies. When will people understand that we really aren't as bad as their imaginations?"
Les, A Montana Wheat Farmer, referring to yesterday's blog images
Today's Blog:
This writing is about the power of one.
I'll admit lately I've become increasingly disgusted. After witnessing up front and center some notable examples of human greed, bad behavior and calculated dishonesty, it's very easy to find yourself completely underwhelmed by the human condition. And trust me, I'm no stranger to disillusionment. But these recent breathtaking examples of dark business ethics, practiced by professed "Christians", left me exasperated. I've had difficulty thinking of anything positive in the realm of commentary to write as a result.
Yet an event happened over the weekend that left me deeply moved.
This one moment completely reinforced the remaining faith I have in humanity.
The demonstrated power of one man to make a difference, even if it's just locally, is the truest and most stunning miracle. Especially, given the odds, or when one considers the morality of our current society. Undeniable grace, faith in those who are faithless, and never giving up on a hopeless situation- well that's the kind of example I was treated to.
I'll explain.
Saturday night I attended the Pend Oreille County Fair and Rodeo. At the beginning of the rodeo, everyone stood as the Riderless Horse ceremony took place in the arena. The ceremony is a very powerful part if not a spiritual highpoint, of rodeo.
Traditionally, the Riderless Horse Ceremony honors the heroic souls we've lost. The ones who have recently disappeared from our lives, always before we were ready to lose them-Cowboys, civic leaders, ordinary men and women, anyone can be memorialized in such a moment. The Riderless Horse is how we as a community recognize our transience and it's how we remember who we are, and who we hope to be. In the Riderless Horse, we see this vision, collectively, through our tears.
Usually during the ceremony a lone Riderless Horse is lead by a lone horseman through the deserted rodeo arena. The horse walks slowly, saddled up, with boots and gear hanging among the tack. The quiet and solemn hush created in the grandstands by such a tribute is an emotional moment in rodeo. As a result, the Riderless Horse has come to have its sacred place among us. Indeed if there is ever an instance of true unity in our community, this would be it.
Saturday, even as prepared as we were for the tradition, this moment caught everyone off guard. Because following the horse into the arena were dozens and dozens of young children and young adults-Each of them walking slowly behind that quiet animal, following in the hoofprints of that horse. They trudged through the arena dirt with their Cowboy Hats removed, attentive and respectful. Some wept, their hands buried in their faces, as they stumbled forward. Some stood tall, wiping their tearing up eyes with thier sleeves while holding the hands of those walking beside them. Regardless, all of them followed in silent respect behind that lone quieted horse.
Last Saturday night, this particular Riderless Horse Ceremony honored an inspirational man, Allan Emrick.
Emrick was a local 4 H leader who had touched the lives of so many young people and their families. He demonstrated through his patient love of horses, and his even more patient love of young people, that there is always a trail leading to heart, courage, and love- even in the most impossible situations. Through horsemanship, cowboy try, and patience, he taught kids to love horses, and more importantly, some unforgettable lessons about loving one another and themselves. More than a few troubled youngsters were saved directly by his intervention and generosity.
As the parade of men, women and children entered the arena, and strung out behind that horse, the packed stands grew silent. Each person in that arena was directly touched in some way or another by Allan.
Even if they'd never met him or knew of his witness until that moment.
Once again, we in the stands were reminded that amongst us, in the ordinary lives of those who live in Pend Oreille County, we are surrounded by giants: People who stand out as they chase the humblest passions, people who just in the living of their lives demonstrate greatness.
Allan reflected the truth that the measure of soul is not found in what we accumulate, not in whom we know, but in how we live our lives and how we share who we are with those around us.
I pray that somehow Allan saw what a difference he'd made in so many lives. Looking down from Heaven with his band of sky riders, watching as so many recognizable faces followed behind that gentle horse, I would hope it put a smile on his face. Just knowing that at the end of his trail, under the spell of an August sunset, it would only seem fitting that somehow Allan got to see the testament of his example.
Because observing Allan's lead, their cowboy hats at ease, all those kids are still following him. Their eyes focused on the symbol ahead of them, a posse of change emmulating his cowboy bootsteps, continually striving for better.
Just like Allan would have done.
Allan Emrick was killed in Pend Oreille County earlier this summer. He suffered fatal injuries after a freak horse accident occurred while in the midst of moving cattle.
Prayer Requests:
For Paul F, as he deals with a little too much quantity of life all at once...
For my father...that he comes to his senses... and gets his butt in to see the doc...
For Jay who shattered his Achilles Heel...
For Nancy who remains facing cancer concerns...
For Mark, Cathy, and Keith and ongoing health issues...
For my cousin Grant's infant daughter born several months premature...she's still hospitalized...
For my neighbor Dennis who is fighting a five year battle against cancer...
For Clayton's Sister who is going through a tough time...
For parents Vickie and Jimmy and their premature babies Heidi and Olivia...
For Stacy and Chris-who face frightening health challenges...
For Bobbi that her pregnancy continues without complications...Bobbi carries a boy.
For Brooke who is also pregnant. She is carrying a girl.
For all the cattle ranchers on both sides of the border facing Mad Cow fears...
Links, links, links...
Northern Idaho gets ripped a new one...Along with the rest of our "big box" society
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/gate/archive/2005/08/17/notes081705.DTL&nl=fix
Televangelist Pat Robertson calls for the assassination of Chavez...Hmmm doesn't that sound just like something the Taliban would do?...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050823/ap_on_re_us/robertson_assassination
Another anti-gay Republican Congressman finds himself drug out of the closet...
http://www.houstonvoice.com/blog/index.cfm?type=blog&start=8/16/05&end=8/23/05
More hypocritical sex scandals rock the U S Catholic Leadership
http://www.signorile.com/articles/nyp145.html
Guaranteed to make you uncomfortable...
http://www.gayshamesf.org/
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