Few may know, but not long ago was the National Day of the Cowboy, a day dedicated to celebrating the western heritage that lives on in the cowboys and cowgirls that still work the land and raise livestock with a hearty nod to the legacy they come from.  There was little fanfare or fuss, probably the way this humble bunch would want it to be.  But in honor of that day, of that way of living and especially to the generations of hard working men and women, I want to say thank you.

With the spread of technology, the new innovations and industrial advancements of the last century, one could easily believe that the old ways of the west are soon to be a page of our history books.  But anyone who lives that lifestyle will proudly tell you that cowboys are here to stay.

On the outside a cowboy might simply be looked on as hand working cattle from a horse with a dog by his side, clad in dusty, faded blue jeans and a straw cowboy hat with leather gloves in his pocket.  This iconic image isn’t wrong, but the outside look isn’t the true picture of a cowboy.  Sure, they do all seem to look alike, but it's what’s at the heart of them that makes them a cowboy.

Doing a little personal research, I reached out to friends, family and neighbors to ask what they thought made a cowboy, a cowboy.  Living in a rural community and being raised on a ranch, I was sure that I would have loads of detailed and opinionated answers to my question.  But surprisingly, the answers I gathered could be summed up into one simple thought- the essence of a cowboy is his love and dedication to care for the land and animals that God gave him stewardship over.  

Now if you google “what is a cowboy” your top answer will read something like, “a man, typically one on horseback, who herds and tends cattle, especially in the western U.S. and as represented in westerns and novels.”  But this answer just misses the heart of what makes a cowboy a cowboy.  By this definition, anyone that saddles up and trails a few cows can be considered a cowboy.  

A true cowboy is one that doesn’t shirk from his responsibilities regardless of the inconvenience or discomfort.  He knows his cattle and works until they are all cared for.  A cowboy doesn’t just ride his horse but is partners in the work with him.  A true cowboy finds peace and satisfaction riding out across the range alone with only the creak of the saddle and sound of his horse’s hooves.

It is a small group of people that can truly consider themselves a cowboy.  It isn’t an exclusive group but it is a special man or woman that has the heart of a cowboy.  And it is these people I want to thank for their dedication to their lifestyle, their love of their heritage and legacy and the sacrifices they make for so many others.