Buckaroo Hero
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009
by Fireflies Team
Fireflies For the Heart
HH or Huey Lamb was an old man when I met him. I have no idea how old... his weathered skin remained tan year round from working his horse ranch. He offered riding lessons and trail rides to the public and he offered me the time of my life.
Huey was old fashioned... he believed in "yes, ma'am" and "no, sir," opening doors for girls, and letting others go first. His wife Inez, was soft spoken, wise and patient... and always present at the Ranch although I can't remember if she ever rode with us. Huey wore red flannel, long sleeve western shirts with pearl snaps even in the hottest days of summer. He lost a little finger working on a car, and I remember the empty pinky of his work gloves flapping when he rode or worked.
There was much work to be done... stalls to be cleaned, horses to be doctored, horses to be cleaned, hay to be thrown, saddles to be cleaned, oats to be moved and trail rides to be led. I loved every hot, sweaty, dirty, smelly minute of it. We were the Indian Creek Buckaroos - official because we had red t-shirts that said so! We rode in local parades carrying flags and had a monthly meeting where we cooked hot dogs and enjoyed an occasional square dance.
Rules were mostly unspoken at Indian Creek Ranch, but taught nonetheless. By example, Huey and Inez created an oasis for many aimless youth.
They listened and loved us kids for years and for some of us, their influence continues today... some 25 years after leaving the place.
"Never ever smoke."
"Water your horse first... before yourself."
"Don't cuss."
"Help out your friend before she gets into trouble."
"Clean up your own mess."
"Follow the trail boss. Don't get ahead."
I am thankful for that safe place I had to ride out my stormy teenage years. The experiences I had and the work I did for those 10 years is engraved in my memory. Closing my eyes, I can still taste the cool well water from the green garden hose, smell the fresh cut alfalfa thrown out of the hayloft, and hear Huey whoop, "Head 'em up and move 'em out."
I even held my rehearsal dinner before my wedding at Indian Creek Ranch... complete with a hayride and fried chicken dinner. Huey and Inez shone with pride over me as if I were their own daughter.
You know, this West Texas couple is not famous. Not wealthy. Not world renowned. They didn't cure any disease. Didn't fund millions of dollars in scholarships. They are "simple, everyday" kind of folks. I know they had grown children of their own but beyond that I don't know the details of their personal life.
What I caught from them was character. I learned how to do a good job, be part of a team, have fun and be responsible. I watched them treat every animal and every person every time with deep respect... no matter how unruly or rude that animal or person was.
I wanted to do my best because they believed in me.
I do know that in my Buckaroo bunch, there is now a school teacher, a massage therapist, 2 funeral home directors, a veterinarian, and a writer! And I know that Huey and Inez had wonderful influence over every teen that walked onto their land.
To me they are the most perfect example of HERO that I can find... They simply believed whole heartedly in the work they were doing and in the people with whom they worked.
Now that is something we all can embrace.
Ginny Dye, Sandi Valentine & Suess Karlsson are a team of writers who all share a passion to empower and motivate everyone who they touch through their writing. Their stories are a gift to the world! Learn how to create the http://www.firefliesfortheheart.com success you dream of , overcome obstacles and challenges, and live a life of grace and love. Please visit us at http://www.firefliesfortheheart.com
This Article has been viewed 146 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.