Cowboys, Coffee, and Christ: The Cowboys

In my writing class a few days ago we discussed the essay "About Men" by Gretel Ehrlich. The author started off by discussing the cowboy in the old Marlboro ads. The ads reminded her of her home in Wyoming, and the men and their common courtesy that is so often taken for granted in our culture here in Montana.

This all got me thinking, I know there are these men in the world...the ones who are kind and caring, but hard working and strong also. I mean, I grew up with one of the kindest, funniest, caring, hardworking men around. My dad loves and cares for my family, and I don't recall ever meeting a more hardworking man (maybe I'm biased, but it is my belief). But, not everyone was lucky enough to grow up with a father like mine, and they may have developed a different opinion about "the cowboy." While discussing the essay in class some of the students went on to discuss the cowboys that are seen on tv and movies: the bad guys, or at least tough and gruesome type. Some of the students had stereotyped the cowboy as tough and gruesome and rough with women. While I cannot recall the examples of movies they gave, I remember thinking these "dudes" obviously never grew up watching Little Joe and the other Cartwright boys like I did on Bonanaza, or watching Gus in Lonesome Dove rescue Lorena. And, they OBVIOUSLY did not grow up with a father like I did, watching him care for new born baby calves, or making my brother and I giggle until our stomachs hurt, or play us a song on the guitar because we weren't feeling well.

It is sad that our culture does not have more men like my father, and let's be honest, my brother. The men that will go out of their way to pick their wife a bunch of wildflowers on their way home, or sing to their daughters. The man who is kind and caring, but can still be rough with a mean momma cow if necessary. It is sad that more women do not know about this kind of man, and set their standards high enough to find this kind of man. While I have not found my knight in dusty wrangler armor, I'll keep waiting because I know that he is out there. I know that there are men like him, because of the example my dad set. It just so happens, that he may be harder to find because he is probably working his a** off, like most cowboys do (at least the good ones).

So until next time, here's to the cowboys I dream about at night, the coffee that wakes me up in the mornings, and Christ, the one who gives me the strength to get through the day.

love, kate