My son Rial sees things differently than lots of folks and I’ve always enjoyed his way of looking at things. He said to me one day after a pretty rapid ride on a paint horse that was a stampeder, the only difference in a run away and running a horse is one your pulling back on the reins and one your pushing forward. Pretty simple but pretty true.
A person I knew committed suicide and I am having a hard time understanding it. A young bull rider took his life a while ago and the thought is it was related to concussions he received. From what I’ve heard and read, depression is a very misunderstood thing, and a real problem that needs to be dealt with. All I know suicide is a terrible thing and it brings out a lot of terrible emotions in the ones living to deal with.
I have been around lots of people in the last few years that are in a battle with cancer.
My brother-in-law Pete Peterson is the bravest, toughest guy I know. He looked death in the eye and fought it with all he had. He’s taking his boys to Alaska this spring.
Another friend put everything else in life on hold and is now in remission after a long treatment in Houston, and in his style has made an adventure out of it, and found positives to focus on.
Another friend is flying back to Hawaii after a throat cancer treatment. Nancy wouldn’t give up, and she’se going to make it back to her paradise when lots of folks didn’t think she would.
We have also known some wonderful people that died from cancer. As I watched this I saw great people become even greater in the process, and the thing that takes a person away bring everyone closer because of it.
So the positive in this is to learn to live. We need to enjoy the important things in life, and learn the way to live like it may be the last day, for you or someone you know.
Life’s like that running horse. Your either pushing the reins forward or pulling back. It’s your decision.
Curt Pate Stockmanship 
Good word my friend. I think that might preach!
Good message Curt.
To Curt Pate: I enjoy your posts, wish I could get more “horse” time here. Suicide, depression, cancer are all serious things. I wondered if you are familiar with Bach flower remedies? They can help greatly in such situations (can help animals too) A good reference to start is Mechtild Scheffer’s book Bach Flower Therapy. I am not trying to proselytize, just help, nor am I any professional, just a farmer. Shane
After dealing with rectal cancer the past two years and the surgeon telling me “he didn’t want see me again” in December of 2016, I definitely believe I’ve been left here a little longer for a purpose. This past May,2017, at my daughters ranch, we saddled up one of her gentle old horses. I got into the saddle and then they handed my 8 months old great grand son up to me. What a feeling having that precious little next of kin sitting with each of his legs on opposite sides of the saddle horn. He didn’t whine, whimper or wiggle, he was completely at home. You can bet we took some photos to always remember this moment. I truly hope I live long enough to tell some of my horse and cow stories to him when he’s older.
Thanks, Debbie, for giving me a chance to talk about one of the best events of my life!!!!
Mahalo Curt, that is a great analogy. I hope to keep pushing on the reins of life when things are tough.
Right On….God Bless
And to think how strong some of these people are and they have the will and the spirit to live for another day. A lot of people who think they have it tough should go through what these people have gone through for a day or a week, maybe then they will think that they don’t have it so tough. People should live like it is their last day and make a place in this world that they and others will remember when they are gone.