A Cowgirls final ride!!!

 

 

 I know I've been absent the last month, but my older brother and his wife lost their youngest daughter and it's been very hard for us..  I just needed a little time off....

 

This is my beautiful niece, Corie (23), doing what she loved to do.... She was a real "Cowgirl" in every way...  She was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 5 years and was a true fighter.

 

 

 

 

 

This year she's been on oxygen pretty much full time... But did she let that slow her down?... Not at all. If you look closely you will see that she has her oxygen bottle behind her saddle... Sort of an oxygen saddle bag... Here she is at one of the many rodeos she attended....

Actually, it was at her last rodeo that a gentleman rode up to her and started talking to her and asking a few personal questions about her sickness. Her response was, "Sir, I don't know you and therefore don't feel comfortable in answering your questions". The gentleman introduced himself, and told her that he provided the livestock to many of the rodeos in the Texas panhandle and in Oklahoma. After that they talked in great length about her illness and he kept telling her how much he couldn't get over her being so active riding and being so happy...  and that he figured most people in her shoes would be home in bed and feeling very bitter... 

It was just a couple weeks later, the dear Lord wrapped his gentle arms around Corie and took her  "home".

And the gentleman that I mentioned.... After he heard of her death, I asked around and got my brother's phone number and called him.. He told my brother he knew a man south of Lubbock, Texas who had a horse drawn hearse.... He proceeded to say that it would be a great honor if they could take Corie to her final resting place here on earth!!!!!

So here are a few photos of our beautiful cowgirl's final ride!! It was perfect!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's taken me 3 weeks to post this, and it still brings me to tears.... 

 

 

  My youngest brother writes Cowboy Poetry and wrote this poem....

 

To Corie.
When I saddle that ole pony and I see that horse left in his stall
And there is a saddle left in the tack room and a bridal on the wall,
I will think of you. 

 When I hear the creek of saddle leather on a cool, damp spring morn
Or see the steam slowly rising from a calf that’s just been born,
I will think of you.

  As the sun rises on the horizon and clears that distant hill
And I take in all the beauty that God has made and is making still,
I will think of you.

  If I’m riding slow and easy pushing momma cows up to the lot
And I am just rocking in the saddle as my ole horse goes on in an easy trot,
I will think of you.

  As the sun it starts to heat up like it does here in the spring
As the bugs they start a buzzing and the birds begin to sing,
I will think of you.

  When the days work is over and there’s nothing more that’s needin done
The horses are hot and tired, that is all but one,
I will think of you.

  Every time some young cowgirl on her horse comes passing by
And I turn my head away so no one sees the tears there in my eyes,
I will think of you.

 I look up to the Heavens and think of days gone by
The passing of one so special nearly always makes me cry,
I will think of you.

  When I need strength to continue forward and to make that extra mile
My mind brings forward thoughts of you and that always makes me smile,
Because I will think of you.

Written for Corie by Guy Koch

 

 

Thank you all for stopping by today...

I want to wish all of my American friends a happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hugs to you all!!!!