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You may wonder why in the world this old fence is still standing? You may wonder why it is even worth the time to post this ragged old fence? Gather around and let me tell you a story.
This fence sits on a large cattle ranch that is thousands of acres in Mason County, Texas. This ranch has been in the family we lease it from since the late 1880's when their family immigrated from Germany and settled in Mason County.
This fence has provided many things during its lifetime: security, setting good boundaries, assistance in providing money to support the family and ranch hands throughout the years. However, the one thing it has provided to many generations is memories.
Think back to the early settlers who first staked out this land. Think about the memories of staking out and constructing this fence on untamed land all those years ago. Think about those family members bonding or having disputes when fixing or mending the fence. Perhaps the choice of words they had for the cows when they broke through it over the years, or the choice words they had for each other while trying to round them up. Think about the father or grandfather who went out and cut down a tree to fix the fence post with their son or grandson to teach them life lessons.
What does this fence mean to me? This ragged fence represents a legacy. It makes me think of those early settlers who left the only land they knew and started a new life in wild hostile land. Overcoming many barriers and obstacles. With hard work, dedication and lots of memories made they found success. As the world has changed over the years that same spirit and work ethic remains. The new generations running the ranch take on the challenges of modern day ranching head on. Those settlers left a legacy behind that has allowed me to lease this land and make memories with my family.
One of my favorite memories on the lease is the year our family spent the Easter weekend at the deer lease. We cooked great food, trapped hogs, enjoyed each other's company and the kids were able to do an Easter egg hunt on the ranch my wife and I set up for them. In the afternoons we would target shoot or go to the nearby Llano River and fish. On Easter Sunday we visited the beautiful historic Catholic Church for Easter Mass in Mason.
Many weekends during the year we load up the truck on Friday afternoons when the kids get out of school and head out to the lease for the weekend to hunt, fish, and spend quality time together. These fences help keep the ranch going strong. These fences make it possible for me to continue to make memories with my family and build the legacy I want in life. Making memories that will last them a lifetime. Memories they will tell their children and grandchildren about.
Aren't we all a little like the fence in the photo? Just a little worn, a little tired but still standing? Trying to hold on to the legacy all while finding the strength to hold back everything new that is coming our way? Some days we feel like we are going to fall over, but we reflect back to the love, care, and resilience put into building us strong over the years giving us the strength to keep holding it all together.
Author-Alan Butler
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