The Spirit of the Cowboy

In 2011 my family and I took a trip to Montana, the first of what has slowly become my Mom and Dad’s annual trips… “Out West.” We went out to a small town, Ovando, to celebrate my great grandfather Leo’s 90th birthday.

The other night I had a dream about that trip. I woke up every morning to the views of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, the sounds of nature, and Big Sky country. In these trying times I think we all need to look to the people of Big Sky country for inspiration.

It made me think, we should all emulate the spirit of the Cowboy and Cowgirl.

My Grandpa Leo served in World War II. He came home to a different country, just as when we all make it out of these times we will return to a new version of normal.

He did many different things throughout his life, but would become most known for two distinct things- Being a Cowboy and a Bar & Restaurant owner.

Today the restaurant he’s most known for running, Trixi’s, is still in the family. Aunt Cindy Bush Francis and Uncle Ray Francis own and operate it now, and it is hard not to feel like you are taking a step back to a simpler time when you walk through those doors.

There is a long history at that bar and at those tables of hunters, fishermen, coffee lovers, and beer drinkers.

Let that be a reminder that right now, in your home, your table can be that space today. We may not yet be able to share in each other’s company, but we can share with our families.

Whether that be a night sitting with those you love and live with, or a virtual happy hour on zoom, we can still be more in touch not less.

Leo knew how to love and people loved him back.

In my short time in Montana I learned very quickly of the spirit of the people who work for the outfitters, restaurants and ranches, the people who survive in an environment that wasn’t necessarily meant for humans to “thrive” in, yet they all seem to be able to.

Grandpa Leo’s daughter, my grandmother, was a barrel racer, a country girl, who would go on to leave home and thrive as well. She has taken these lessons of hard work, can-do-will-do attitude to build a life in California and then eventually in Ohio, and now in Texas.

Yet, she never forgot her roots, stories of home and family and Montana have never been far from her heart.

Today, many of us are focused on surviving the environment we are in. Today we are focused on staying healthy and staying sane, but I suggest we look to the “Big Sky” to be our inspiration.

No matter what the world throws at us, let us wake up ready to thrive.

Let us take on these challenges with a spirit of “can-do-will-do” attitude, and let us take on the obstacles that our world is presenting us.

Life isn’t easy, but with the spirit of the cowboy, life can be good.