A Tribute

This past Sunday was a bittersweet day for my husband and I.  A couple of weeks ago, we received an email informing us that a good friend of his had been placed in hospice care and that he had requested Austin play at his memorial service.  We hadn't known Andy was sick, so the whole thing came as an extreme shock to us, and Austin took it very hard.  We spent the last couple of weeks meeting with Andy's family and friends, and preparing for the service, which was Sunday.  I have been meaning to dig up the disc containing the photos I took at the birthday party Andy hired Austin to play at several years ago, but haven't been able to locate it yet with all that's still in transition in our moving process, so instead I'm posting the image above (shot at one of the Rodeo's that came through Auburn Hills a few years ago) in tribute to Andy Cummins, one of the truest cowboys we've known.  Below is a copy of the poem that Andy wrote shortly before his death.  While his body finally gave into cancer, his spirit never did, and his legacy will live on forever.  Rest in Peace Andy, you are missed here, but we will continue to ride for the brand in your honour.

 Cowboy Up

Cancer versus the Cowboy

by A.J. Cummins

He ain't a bronc I'd choose to ride

with a 44 brand burned high on his side.

He had little pig ears and big Roman nose

but I had to ride him and see how it goes.

He was a straddle-legged Cayuse strawberry roan

he was muscled and rangy and bad to the bone.

An outlaw they said had never been rode

I had eight seconds to stick before I got throw'd.

I stepped up beside him; I had to face him alone

this was the ride that would take me home.

I checked all the leather on my judgment day throne

this wasn't the ride that I was gonna get thrown.

When I ride this ol' warrior I want him cinched up tight

there'll be no second chance on this ride tonight.

I knew with no doubt this was the ride for life

so let's get it on and see who's right.

With great fear and wonder I stepped in the leather

swung my leg over and we sat there together.

His job is to finish me one jump at a time

my job is to prove that each leap is benign.

Just when I thought this might end in the dust

I thought about you, your faith and your trust.

You said I'm a tough guy and beat this I can

that's when I felt your grip in my hand.

He went up with the moon and came down with the sun

he sure was a sunfishin' son-of-a-gun.

But we got him licked, he's startin' to tire

he's losin' his hump, he's losin' his fire.

With us in the saddle, stickin' with prayer

no doubt the outcome soon will be there.

This is the ride of my life and I'm up to the task

just stay there beside me, that's all that I ask.

Thank you for all you have done for me and my family.

"Cowboy Up"