It is Douglas county fair week. Always a fun week seeing old friends, watching family show and sell. Nostalgic trips to the concession stand and grabbing a snow cone. But this year, held a little sadness too. It was hard to be there and not think of the missing goofy grin. Looking across the fence line and seeing my dad standing there on the fence without Eric beside him was just wrong.
My brother loved the fair. As a kid. And as a grown ass man. It was a week he gave himself permission to take a break. A vacation of sorts. When the other parents were bedraggled and grouchy, he would be there, can of coors in hand, goofy lopsided grin on his face asking if you were coming back for the derby. Catching up with every single person there. He knew them all. He bullshitted with then all. He loved every single minute of it. He borrowed a camper and camped up there with his son. He watched Clayton show his livestock and was not the “show dad”. Shouting directions or giving one more piece of advice. He was just there, having the time of his life. He should be there.
He should be there watching Clayton show and sell his calves.
And I am positive that he was there. And I have no doubt that he is as proud of Clayton’s success as we all were.
A belt buckle was given to an exemplary 4-Her in Eric’s honor. I think he would be tickled about it. I also think he would have appreciated this year’s recipient. A kid who Eric helped get started in 4-H - helping him get a couple of pigs and teaching him to show them. And a friend of Eric’s son - Dalan.
One year ago, we were at a rehearsal dinner for these 2. Easton was a classified piece of information. The weather was unseasonably cool and beautiful. We were excited and happy and added a daughter to our family. It was a blessed and happy day.
This year has flown by. It has been filled with a little more sorrow and grief than normal. But it has also been filled with many blessings.
Happy anniversary Spencer and Colin! We love you and are so very proud of you!
Couple of side notes. Clayton won a backpack for having the champion red angus. We don’t need to mention that he had the only red angus.
Clayton also had the reserve champion Charolais. When the 3rd overall was pulled from that class his calf got to come back in the grand drive. Which meant both of his calves were in the ring for the grand drive. That’s pretty exciting. He didn’t win, but he did work hard! I’m sure it was an emotional week for him. He handled it in true Clayton style.
