Apparently, wearing a crown to work is frowned upon...

Around this time every year, I get SO sentimental and really miss wearing a crown!  The new Miss Rodeo Texas was just crowned, Miss Texas check-in is this weekend, and as fall rolls around, these lucky young women will be heading to Vegas and Atlantic City for Miss Rodeo America and Miss America, respectively.  (I know Miss USA was last week, but I have no personal experience with that one – I think I already have “education better”).    I’ve made a lot of wonderful memories in my life, but my pageant memories are some of the ones that I recall most vividly (that’s probably because they’re fairly recent and I can’t remember much else in my old age – haha!  For instance, I’ll never forget driving into Las Vegas with a trailer full of clothes, hats and boots, topping the hill overlooking all of the magnificent lights of the Vegas strip, and realizing that I was about to embark on an experience of a lifetime at Miss Rodeo America. I’ll never forget walking into the jousting arena at The Excalibur in Vegas for horsemanship realizing how few people get to ride there. 

And, I’ll never forget walking onto the Miss Texas stage for the first time, the smell of the dressing room (some combination of hairspray, fake tan and butt glue), and the chill of the rehearsal hall. My favorite is that instant on stage… standing still and seeing only darkness and near-blinding spotlights…all eyes in my direction… THE moment that I’d worked for, sweated for, and prepared for (feeling such tremendous excitement, confidence and pride in accomplishing so many personal goals)…it’s one of those moments in life where you try to soak in every millisecond knowing that you’ll never stand in that exact place ever again.  And then, I’d take a step forward or my music would start, and that moment would be gone forever only to remain as a memory.  (I know my pageant friends are smiling and nodding in their own sentimentality right now). 

I love that quote, “life isn’t about the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.”  I think that’s what I miss most – the breathtaking moments!  So, I’ve been trying to make a conscious effort to be more present in all aspects of my life…to let little moments take my breath away with Jared, Charlie and Jac (and maybe even work), and stop letting life pass so quickly. 

Maybe qualifying for the NRHA South Central Regional Affiliate Championships isn’t that big of a deal (honestly, I haven’t been reining long enough to know).  What I DO know is that seeing my name posted on the NRHA website took my breath away and I might have even shed a happy tear or two although I’d never fully admit to that (it’s 5 years in the making for me from deciding that I might want to stop eventing, making the transition, finding time to ride after baby, and then going through many moments of self doubt ..to knowing that I’m in the running (albeit with probably a couple hundred other extremely qualified horse/rider combinations) for THE Rookie of the Year.  We have a ton of homework, but we're heading to Tulsa!

I had a “moment” the other night eating ice cream with Charlie and realizing how fast the time is flying by with him and that he won’t be my “little man” forever.  I had a moment the other day when I was handed a case to handle and realizing how far I’ve come in my practice over the past few years.  And I heard some lyrics yesterday, “life’s a long and winding ride…better have the right one by your side,” and remembered how I need to cherish moments with my husband.      

It's hard sometimes with the hustle and bustle of life, daily frustrations and responsibilities, and things to distract me from my "moments."  So, if all else fails, I’ll just grab a glass of wine, kick off my heels, put on my crown, and remind everyone that, by damnit, I used to be the queen.  J