I recently saw a Facebook post that someone tagged me in, suggesting it be the topic of my next editorial piece.  It was simply a picture of a group of young cowboys, sitting horseback, hats removed and placed on their hearts, as the national anthem was played at a rodeo.  I took a moment to study the photo and thought, as most writers would, “what’s the best angle here?”.  I knew it would be a great topic: the morals and manners that ranch kids grow to learn, but I thought of something more: how blessed we are as a ranching community, knowing that these well-raised children are our future.  

I think where my truest form of inspiration came, however, was as I listened to the radio, and a song we all know and love, by the legend George Jones came on: Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes.  There.  That was my angle.  Who in this crazy, social-media ridden world is going to replace the leaders of our country?  Although the song isn’t based off this exact idea, on that specific day, it was.  As he asked me, right at that moment, “Who’s gonna fill their shoes, who’s gonna stand that tall?”, it hit me square in the face, that the outlook for many is not as fortunate as ours.  

In so many ways, today’s world scares me.  The unknown elements of what is, and what will be are nerve-wracking, and sometimes shocking, for that matter.  As I sat and listened to Mr. Jones talk about filling shoes, I asked myself if our kids, our young cowboys and cowgirls, will be capable enough to replace, if not better, those who came before them. I wondered if they have the know-how to continue with forming this wonderful life we all live. If I based my answer off the rest of the world, I’d probably admittedly have a panic-attack of some sort, but the truth is, I take a comforting sigh of relief when I think about who we’re passing our traditions and livelihood down to- we have prepared them and taught them well.

Yes, it’ll be our rowdy young cowboys and vivacious little cowgirls who take over the jobs on the ranch.  So many people today could care less about traditions, what they each mean, stand for, or whether they’re even passed on.  And undeniably, they care even less about learning a trade, or honing their skills for a trade which requires a strong work ethic.  But what you see every day in the eyes of a ranch kid is the hunger to be like mom, dad, or any other role model they may hold on a pedestal.  When you see these youngsters, you don’t see ones who must be coaxed off the couch, or from in front of the TV.  What’s seen in their actions, and felt through their hearts is a yearning to complete the cycle; one that often began several generations back, and that which these cow kids will fight to carry on.  They will embrace the burdens, and revel in the successes of ranch life, with the valiant traditions holding true for many more years to come, instead of shirking their tasks for easier ones.  

So, in answering the legend, as so many other groups of people would be scared and embarrassed to do these days, take solace in the fact that they will fill our shoes.  They will remove cover and bow their heads when they pray.  They will refer to others as “ma’am” and “sir”; and say “please” and “thank you”.  They will hold open doors for an unknown stranger, and help the elderly to be seated at a table.  These kids are the future of the ranch community, and they are poised to “stand that tall”, for none of them feel quite so fulfilled as they do when they’re on the back of a good horse.  It may be the place where they feel most invincible, and where they’ll make the biggest impact we’ll ever live to see.  Our youngsters are ready for the task, all because they have had the very best role models along the way!

**Written by Kate Sanchez