Reason for Thanks
By Trent LoosNovember has been one of those hectic but wonderful months. I spoke in eight states and met thousands of new people that all share the same desire and passion for serving as stewards of our nation’s natural resources. Thanksgiving is a tremendous opportunity near the end of the year that allows us to take a moment to think about how blessed we really are. In a month with far too many nights away from my family at home, I recognize that our families are the greatest thing we have to be thankful for.
You know you’ve been gone too long when you come home and stick your hands under the faucet expecting the water to automatically come on. You even look around for the blower to dry them. You try in vain to get into room 342 only to finally realize that was last night’s room in Colorado and tonight you are in 348 in Nevada. You have accumulated enough plastic hotel keys to open your own 300-room hotel. You have people approaching you at meetings, telling you something you apparently said two years ago in a conversation that you don’t remember.
You throw your towel down in the corner of bathroom until your wife reminds you that she’s not your maid. You feel compelled to remove your boots before you get in the car in order to send them through the scanner. You keep your photo I.D. in your front shirt pocket so you can prove your identity to anyone who may question it.
You travel on planes rubbing elbows with complete strangers who are determined not to be bothered with small talk. They seem to have the attitude that if they didn’t need to know you before the flight, they certainly won’t need to afterwards. And how are people going to deal with their symptoms of “cell elbow” from walking with a phone to their ear every step of the way. How did we communicate before these walking, talking machines anyway? Three out of every four people in an airport have some phone call that just can’t wait another minute. You feel compelled to drink a beer in the airport bar regardless of the time of day. You think nothing of paying $3 for bottled water within site of a drinking fountain. After all, you can’t talk on your phone while you are drinking from the fountain.
All of these things could certainly lead to burn out, especially the time away from home and the people you love most. I have been traveling extensively to remind people that preserving the lifestyle we treasure is up to each one of us. I am frequently asked what keeps me from burning out. Quite simply it is the past encounters with people who took action because of something I said. That is the greatest reward I could ever ask for. That is why I do it and what I am thankful for. The moment I stop hearing that my words have inspired someone to get involved is the day I stay home.
Home is the place I can always go to get a refresher course on why I started this whole crusade to begin with. Home is where your wife and kids hold together the cow herd, feed the horses, tend to the calves and provide stockmanship in the times of greatest need, whether you are there or not. Home is where your dog greets you at the vehicle with her tail wagging so hard you can’t get the door open. Home is where the kids come running with open arms to the door yelling “DADDY!” Home is where your exhausted wife still has enough energy to greet you with the recommended seven-second kiss.
This Thanksgiving, I am very thankful for the life I have. I certainly am fortunate to travel and meet the people who share my passion for being part of a nation that still has the ability to manage our available natural resources and feed our people. But all the food in the world won’t mean a thing if you didn’t have those you love most to share it with. Please take a moment this holiday season to give thanks for the people around you. I know I will.
Happy Thanksgiving!
