I did have a calling from the sea where I want to eventually be buried. I worked on the water and finally retired at the age of 71. Had it not been a calling of sorts I probably would have left at 62 like may sailors do. If I my body hadn't slowed down I'd still be working. I enjoyed working.
I thought of this because I saw a picture of a cowboy and it reminded me of two working cowboys I worked with for a couple of months.
The pair of them had a calling. They loved simply being cowboys and would do so for however long they lived. I can't explain it other to say that they had a calling from God.
I'm sure they were more than aware that they would probably die young and possibly die as cripples as there's a jillion ways to get crippled up working with large livestock.
I think of those two occasionally and saw two of the happiest men I have ever seen. They worked every hour God gave them, lived in a spartan bunkhouse and had a very simple life and wanted nothing more out of it.
The pair of them lived for the brief periods of time they did 'cowboy stuff', moving the herd to another grazing area. In the saddle moving cows around they were kings of the world.
I could get on Old Paint and get from one place to another, but these two could ride! It was something magic to watch.
I guess now they use dirt bikes and quads to move cattle but looking back on it I feel honored to have worked with some of the last of the real cowboys.
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