a cowboy's hat can tell many stories...
this hat for instance belonged to a man that i *love* dearly..
and miss terribly...
the sweat ring comes from years of being a steward to a land...
a land his great-grandfather worked and cared for...
from trying to live for the cattle that had been trusted into his work worn hands...
a dirt patch tells of the day he dusted his daughter off when she tumbled from a frisky colt...
another of the grueling day of trailing 1000 head of cattle over a slick rock trail with a 500 foot drop on your left...
that day a calf fell off that trail, this hat and it's cowboy were lowered over the side of the sheer drop off by lariats tied together. the cowboy rescued that baby calf that day simply because that is how this cowboy lived...on the edge...
the red sand embedded into the grains came from the year he took his daughter on her first view of the only free roaming buffalo herd in the united states..
we ran with the buffalo that day...
the sounds of their thundering hooves keeping time with our quickening hearts and our horses long strides...
the water stains were left behind on a day where his most trusted horse, and friend moved on to greener pastures...
the round burn marks were left behind by the dying embers of a camp fire...while he sat listening to the coyotes howl at the full moon rising over the snow capped peaks of the henry mountains...
among the dirt is patches of flour....this hat watched over the cowboy while making many of his famous sourdough biscuits...there has yet to be one made that sticks to your ribs better than what this cowboy made...
the crimp in the brim came from a day full of anxiety...the day that his first grandson was born...
....this daughter is blessed....not only can i gaze at the life of this cowboy each day....but i am able to hear him in the breezes that sway the grain fields...i am able to hear him in the lone coyotes howl...i am able to hear him in the crackle of the camp fire...i am able to feel his love in the land that i work with my hands...
we love you dad and miss you so...
16 comments:
It would have been an honour to know your daddy.
What a beautiful tribute.
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. I think we would be hard pressed to find a true cowboy of this calliber in today's world. You are lucky to have these special memories.
What a beautiful tribute of love. It brought tears to my eyes and a big lump in my throat. I only wish every girl could have a Father like that.
What a beautiful post and tribute to your Dad!! HUGS to you!
This is one of my favorite posts ever. It really hits home. I cried the first time I read it and I am crying again. Have a great weekend.
What a beautiful story, thank you for sharing your memories! Hugs! Florence
Beautiful post Kristin! I feel like I knew your dad through the beauty of the words you have written about him. How blessed your life has been....
Tina xo
Simply beautiful words to you dear Dad Kristin!!~ I know he watches over you and your lovely family everyday and night and he is so proud of the person you have become!!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Melinda
Precious thoughts! Please tell me it gets easier. It's been just over a year since I lost both my parents.
What a beautiful story! I write often about both my parents. Still grieving!
We are blessed to have such a legacy!
I now feel like I know your daddy! It's never easy to be the one left behind.I just lost my dad last Nov.I am sure he is with you in every way you remember him in. Love the hat, what a treasure~Blessings Kim
What a beautiful tribute to a well loved man. This brought tears to my eyes. You are blessed..
What a lovely tribute to your dad. Thanks for sharing a little of your dad with us...
This touched my heart...you were so blessed to have your daddy.
Rene'
That was beautiful. I got chills as I read of you running with the buffalo. A dream of mine!
Oh Kristen your Dad sounds like he was a REMARKABLE man....How LUCKY for you to have this piece of him close by....!!!!!
Cheers from Oz,
Tamarah :o)
So touching....this tears me up Kristin...because I too have the most wonderful, gentle father. Hugs from me to you xooxoxoxox
Much love,
Deborah xoxoxoox
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