I know it has been awhile since I have written on mybloggers. I will admit, I've been hangin' out elsewhere on the internet and many of you know where. Don't tell Eddie. :o(

Anyhow... I had to come by and tell ya all about the cowboy funeral I attended last Saturday. Now this is rather sad. A young cowboy named Jesse (age 31) died from a brain tumor he had been fighting for the last 5 years. Jesse had cowboyed on many ranches across the West and clear to Hawaii. After being struck by cancer, he took up the silversmith trade and created many beautiful items, including belt buckles and such. He was truly a special young man. Also, Jesse had a close relationship with Jesus Christ and was always spreadin' God's love with whomever he met.

Jesse had lost his mom due to cancer just the year before and the year before that, his Grandpa had died of that terrible disease. I didn't know Jesse that well, but I used to babysit his mom and I knew his grandparent's as I grew up next to them in Southern Oregon. They were really good people... cowboys and cowgirls and hard workin'.

Well, back to the funeral. Let's just say, it was my first real cowboy funeral. Jesse arrived in a beautiful light wood hand hewn casket which was in the back of his pickup. His cowdog was right there with him. Most of the crowd were dressed in their regular cowboy attire including the preacher. Actually, I think the preacher was a cowboy first and preacher second. He had on his dirty ole corral boots and his hat was so dusty, it looked as if he had just been bucked off in a very dusty corral.

The preacher prayed a simple prayer and then told about Jesse's life. He then read some scriptures out of the Bible and told how much Jesse loved his Lord. The preacher went on to tell some funny stories about Jess. After that a few more cowboys chimed in with their memories. All that gathered were rememberin' Jesse with a laugh.

They also passed around a couple of bottles of pretty good brandy and some little cups. We concluded the service with a toast to Jesse, while his dog roamed among the crowd.

I tend to think that was the best send off that a cowboy could ever have. So long, Jesse. We'll be seein' you again someday in that great roundup in the sky.