When I was a young child, maybe three or four years old, I wanted to be a cowgirl. I loved visiting my grandparents in Texas. I loved how my uncles spit brown, and I loved how they could ride horses all by themselves.

          One day, I think that it was the day before Thanksgiving; we were visiting my grandparents in Texas. I remember that I had asked my grandfather to teach me to ride a horse. Now, before that day he would always put me on Little Bit, she was a small tan and white miniature pony, and he would lead me around his house.

          This day I must have been very insistent. I begged and begged my Papaw to let me ride by myself like a real cowgirl. He was always partial to his grandchildren, and often let me follow his every step. My grandmother would call me his shadow. So he showed me how to “steer” Little Bit, and turned me loose.

          Papaw reminded me to stay around the house. I rode and rode in circles around the house. Papaw told me that when I was ready to get off to just let him know. He then went inside to get a drink and told me that he would be right back.

          The more I rode, the more I felt like a cowgirl. The problem was that no one could see me being a cowgirl. They were all inside, in the living room, watching television. My aunt, my uncles, my cousins, my Mamaw, my sisters, my mom and dad, and now Papaw were all inside, and none to watch me making my first ever appearance as a COWGIRL!

In those days, my grandparents did not have an air conditioner. They would have the doors opened, front and back, to let the breeze travel through. This was especially aggravating to me on that day, as every time I went past the front porch and the front door, I could see them all watching television, instead of watching me!

          At that point I made up my mind that on my next round around the house, I was going to show everyone that I WAS A COWGIRL! I rounded the back door…no one! I rounded the window where they all sat….no one! I came to the front porch…still no one!

          I pulled back on the reins and pulled Little Bit to a stop. I leaned forward and told her my plans. “Here we go,” I said to her as I gave her a swift kick. Up we headed, up the steps of the porch. I remember the excitement and pride I felt thinking that everyone would be so proud of me!

I heard the clanking of Little Bit’s hoofs as she crossed the wooden porch. I steered her carefully past the rockers that lined the porch.  We rode in the direction of the front door, and in we went.

We rode right into the living room! Now, they would all see me as the cowgirl that I always knew that I could be! Instead of the cheers that I expected, I head a deafening screech from Mamaw. I heard gasps from my mom, dad, and aunt. I heard sneers from my uncles, and my sisters. From my Papaw, I heard a great big belly laugh!

          I sat confused for what seemed like minutes. My father scrambled up from his chair. He grabbed the reins and led me and my trusty steed out of the house. My Papaw followed. He was still laughing, and wiping tears of joy from his eyes.