Fair Freedom

I thought about deleting yesterday's post. I was really a whiner. I was at a definite low.

Yesterday, show day, was difficult. The youngest filled his eyes with sawdust and had to be taken to the first aid station. W "disappeared" several times, leaving me worried and anxious.

But God sent me the perspective I needed.

First it was Mrs. M (long Polish last name. I won't even try). I had seen her oldest son sitting with her earlier in the week and I thought to myself, "Wow. Diabetes has really taken a toll on his body" (he's in his early 20's). Little did I know. I learned yesterday that in December he was pulled from his car, beaten and left for dead. The thieves took his coat.

All for a coat they hit him over and over with a piece of metal and he suffered a traumatic brain injury. Coming to the Fair every day is part of his therapy.

We did very well in the show. Champion Suffolk. Master Showman. Overall Best of Show.

I look back on year behind us and what we did to prepare. We sought out and bought N a new breed so that he might have a better chance of success at the Fair (it worked!). The boys and my husband spent many weekends moving pasture fence. Our animals were in excellent condition because of their efforts.

Today I'm thankful for our many freedoms...to attend the Fair (even if it is exhausting), to choose and afford the animals we have, for time off of our jobs, for our cars to help us with all of the running, for the washing machine and dishwasher :)

I'm grateful for our health and for the abundant energy the boys have.

Onto the pie eating contest, the Little Shepherd show and The Grand Master Showman contest.