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Time off well spentRecently I took a day off. On the time off card, there is a space for comments. I wrote, "You might be a redneck if . . . you take vacation to go to a pig show." Truth is, I couldn't be prouder to be a redneck if it means I'll be taking time off to spend time with my family at a youth livestock show. Our family has spent a lot of time in the pickup this summer pulling a trailer with a couple of pigs loaded on it. Maybe it's sad to say, but it's what we do for fun. We meet old friends, lean on the fence and catch up. We haul out the lawn chairs and grill and "tailgate." The kids run off to the pens to cool the pigs down. The little ones drive their toy tractors in the dirt. Even grandparents see their old college friends. Sure, there's the occasional disagreement between dad and son about what needs to be done. But it is always a learning experience. And like any other competition, there is a family or two that's more concerned about winning than anything else. But they are few and far between. It's simply an atmosphere of rural community. Everyone learns from each other. The young kids learn showmanship by watching the older ones. The older kids learn that being a role model means they always have to watch their step. There might be only one "big winner", but kids learn that you don't have to be holding the biggest trophy at the end of the day to have accomplished something. And, on our way home Sunday from the last pig show of the year, I had mixed emotions. On one hand, I would be glad to have the extra time each day that we spent working with the pigs. But I was sad, as well. I'd be giving up that time each day we spent working together as a family. It's no wonder so many parents gladly give hours upon hours to their children's desire to show livestock. It's not really about the pigs, or the steers, or the lambs. It's about the kids. Last weekend, those hundreds of kids grew in maturity before our eyes. It's about growing strong, emotionally mature kids that understand the importance of hard work and dedication--definitely time off well spent. Holly Martin can be reached by phone at 1-800-452-7171 ext. 1806 or e-mail at hmartin@hpj.com. 10/1/07
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