SHE CLIMBED INTO THE SADDLE WITH CONFIDENCE TO SPARE.
SHE KNEW SHE’D MAKE THE BUZZER, AS SHE TOSSED BACK HER DARK HAIR.
SHE PULLED DOWN TIGHT HER STETSON, AND SET HER FEET IN RIGHT.
HER MIND WAS IN THE MIDDLE. HER SOUL WAS IN THE LIGHT.
SHE LOOKED TO THE ARENA; SAW IT WAS LONG AND WIDE.
SHE HUNKERED DOWN AND RAISED HER HAND, AND SHOUTED LOUD, “OUTSIDE”.
THE GATE SWUNG OUT WIDE OPEN. THE CROWD WAS ON THEIR FEET.
THE COWGIRL FELT THE MARE EXPLODE. SHE HAD A REAL GOOD SEAT.
HER HAIR FLEW UP INTO THE AIR. AND NOW SHE FELT THE STRIFE.
SHE KNEW THIS WAS THE BATTLE – THE BATTLE FOR HER LIFE.
THE DOC’ HAD TOLD HER “CANCER”. THE WORD HAD DEEPLY BIT
INTO THE COWGIRL’S SAVVY SOUL, BUT THE FIRE THAT IT HAD LIT
RAGES ON INSIDE EACH ONE OF US, UNTO THIS VERY DAY.
IT REMINDS US OF OUR STRUGGLES AND THE PRICE THAT WE MUST PAY -
TO RIDE IN THIS ARENA, AND TO CARRY ON OUR WORK.
SHE REMINDS US OF THE TASK AT HAND WITH EVERY OUNCE OF HURT
THAT LIVES DOWN DEEP WITHIN US, BECAUSE SHE NOW IS GONE.
WE KNOW THE WORK THAT WE MUST DO IS JUST TO CARRY ON.
TO CARRY ON WITH PRIDE AND JOY THAT SHE ONCE RODE OUR WAY.
WE ARE SO TRULY GRATEFUL THAT NOW WE PAUSE TO SAY,
“THANK YOU GIRL FOR LOVING US AND HOLDIN’ US SO TIGHT.
WE KNOW THAT YOU DID LOVE US WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND MIGHT.”
WE LOVED YOU JUST THE SAME WAY TOO, YOU KNEW IT AND YOU FELT
TODAY WAS JUST ANOTHER DAY TO PUT A BUCKLE ON YOUR BELT,
BUT DESTINY WAS CALLIN’ YOU, AND THE JUDGE’S CLOCK READ SEVEN
JUST AS YOUR BOOTS TOUCHED DOWN AGAIN IN THAT PLACE THEY CALL HEAVEN.
YOUR LIFE WAS SHORT, BUT IT WAS GREAT. WE’RE THANKFUL THAT YOU CAME
TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH US ON EARTH, WE’LL NEVER BE THE SAME.
YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION GIRL, A HERO STANDIN’ TALL.
NOW YOU’VE MET YOUR MAKER, AND LISTENED TO HIS CALL.
HE NEEDED ONE MORE COWGIRL TO HELP HIM WITH HIS WORK.
HE NEEDED ONE MORE ANGEL WHO HAD A LITTLE DIRT
ON HER RIGHT REAR WRANGLER POCKET, A HOLE IN BOTH HER KNEES,
SOMEONE TO DO MOST ANY TASK WITH KINDNESS AND WITH EASE.
SO THE GOOD LORD SENT FOR YOU DEAR GIRL, WE’RE SORRY WE’RE ALONE.
OUR ONLY CONSOLATION HERE IS NOW WE KNOW YOU’RE HOME.
YOU’RE HOME WITH GOD AND WITH HIS SON. WE’RE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE.
TODAY YOU WON THE BIG ONE, GIRL, YOU GOT TO BE A STAR.
HAPPY TRAILS DEB….
