I consider myself a bit of a city girl.
Kind of.
I spend a lot of time outdoors. I have never ever ever ever been afraid to be completely filthy. In fact these days, while shooting, I’m normally covered in dirt. And often times manure.
But I live in town.
I was asked to come hang out for a while with these awesome kids before fair. So we could catch their animals in training. And can I tell you… I had no idea you had to walk your cattle to get them trained for fair. You also have to walk your sheep.
While I may not be involved with fair life, (I was in 4-H for 3 years when I was a kid, and I sewed. That was it. And I was terrible at it, but I learned enough to do a simple project here and there!) I sure know a lot of people that are. A lot of kids. And I hear the post fair woes a lot. Kids that are missing their animals that they spent so much time training.
We have to remind ourselves that these kids spend all year with these animals. Training them, feeding them, giving them names. Caring for them with gentle hands and souls. So when they are purchased at fair, it’s only natural for them to have heavy hearts to see them go.
So to all the kids at fair, over the next few weeks, may light and love find you. My heart is with you. And even if your heart is hurt a little… you did a beautiful job. All of you. And your hard work is just amazing to me.
Cheers to you all. To the life of a country kid. 
