Loaded Up

She watched behind a thick veil of tears as another stepped into the trailer.

Some of these cows were culls- they had bad feet, bad bags, lumps, bumps, and bruises. Some were old, and could no longer produce a calf worth selling. Some were young, still in their prime, who had the odds stacked against them and sadly came up dry.

This was the part no one talked about. It felt like the purge; having to make a list of cows to send down the road, because grass no longer exists and feed is too expensive to baby anyone along.

The tears just kept coming, as each cow loaded into the cattle pot. Goodbye, she softly mumbled under her breath, to each of the girls that had given their best for her. Goodbye, to a herd her family had built from the ground up. Goodbye, to cattle she had worked so hard to do right by.

Drought had ravaged her family's ranch. It took the water, the grass, the cows, and replaced life with dirt and life-ending heat. What the heat hadn't killed, the grasshoppers finished off. While it wasn't a new situation according to the old timers and her parents, she wasn't prepared for the pain of having to let go.

The deep roar of the truck's engine came alive, and she turned back towards the corrals. What was left of their herd stood there, bawling, and her tears fell again. She couldn't bear to watch the truck leave, so she retreated to the barn, crying into her horse's neck, praying for something to change, and praying for the strength to go on.

(Please note-this isn't about anyone in particular, but I know there are many ranch families going through this exact situation. Please say a little prayer for the producers having to sell down or sell out, as much as ranching is a business, it is still a livelihood. God bless everyone going through hard times right now.)

❤️Richelle