“You could probably just talk with anyone here. We’re all like family…that guy just had a horse kick the valve stem off the tire on his trailer, so I helped him fix his flat.”
Rachel and I had stepped outside the car to find out what the assembly of hundreds of trailers, horses, and people was all about. The man explaining the flat tire scenario had been looking at us with anticipation as soon as we told him about our project.
I’m not sure what it is about a split-second decision and all that goes into that moment. For some reason, I wasn’t in the mood to talk with a guy who wanted to be the one we talked to.
I thanked him, glanced at Rachel, and understood she was in agreement to move on as well. If we were at a National Barrel Horse Association event, we wanted to find some racers.
It was a windy day. Hot, dry air swept through the camp, chapping lips and making those who had circled the wagons seek out their stores of cool water. We pulled our small VW Jetta through the rows of trucks and trailers, looking for a better spot. Soon, we had found our own makeshift “campsite” and parked the car. Walking along the fence line, we watched several riders warm up their horses for the next competition.
As we returned to our car, Rachel spotted a family who seemed approachable. They appeared to be a mother and two daughters, and their relaxed, easy-going demeanors helped us know they might say yes to our standard question: “We’re traveling to every town in Oklahoma, and we’d like to have at least one conversation with someone in each of those towns. Would you be willing to talk with us for a while?”
They said yes. Our equipment partially worked. And, our video tells the rest of the story.
If you’re short on time…click here for a 30 second intro video. Otherwise, this five minute video will give you a peek into the world of Melissa, Lauren and Brooklyn. Precious people – living life and learning as they go.
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