I'm Ridin'

My Grandma Brunner sent this to my Dad. We all enjoyed it quite a bit. I thought it explained our life pretty well

I'm Ridin'
By Baxter Black, DVM

My Papa told a story form his childhood Dust Bowl days. He was out a'ridin' fences-tryin' to find 'em, anyways, When he saw a cowboy buried in the sand up to his waist. Papa trotted up behind him till he saw the feller's face. "How ya doin?" asked my Papa, carful not to be blindsidin'. The cowboy tipped his hat, looked up and said, "I'm fine. I'm ridin"
As time went by, my Papa grew and finally found a girl. But the big war put him on a shop and clear around the world. Their letters few and far between were sweet in many ways. She would write him love and kisses, and inquire about his days, 'Bout his health and meals and mental state, and how he was abidin',
"Don't worry, Darlin', I'll be home," he said. "I'm fine. I'm ridin'."
Back home they bought a little place and started raisin' cattle and corn and kids and country, never saw life as a battle, but a chance, and opportunity, took the bitter with the sweet. So busy with their daily chores just makin' loose ends meet. Sometimes they'd pass each other like two ships at sea a glidin'. He'd peck her cheek, she'd squeeze his hand,
"We're fine," they'd say. "We're ridin'."
Their life went by and they got old, ad then she had a stroke. He held her till the medics came but ne'er a word she spoke. He prayed like he had never prayed to heal the one he loved. And when the wheelchair brought her home he thanked the Lord above.
"I've been so worried," he said in tears. her smile began to widen. He touched her face and read her lips,
"I'm fine," she said. "I'm ridin'."
Some will see their life half empty, some will see their cup half full. Some will only open one eye and find living miserable. But if yer fine and ridin', you can see and you can plan 'Cause life's got a lot to offer, if yer head's not in the sand.

In our house we take the bitter with the sweet. Though we have our hard days and we wonder when we will see Dad as he once was again. We are so very thankful for the days we have. I have been so blessed to spend this time with my parents. I have developed a sweeter relationship with my father. And we are just so happy he is still here and he understands us.

Dog Show

Today we were watching the Westminister Kennel Club Dog show. They were showing the hound dogs. Dad saw one that he really liked and said "Wow look at that". We all did a double take. He sounded just like he use too. We couldn't believe he just said a whole sentence when it is so much work get a word out of him that we understand. It was nice to remember that he is still in there and with more work he will be talking again.