What a GREAT day!! Chris' chi steer was auctioned off for 20,000 plus today. The generosity of the the county AND the nation from the cattle community to the horse show world has been nothing short of amazing. Not only was his story known in the cattle industry but the horse show world got wind of it also and they stepped up to send him to a number that left the family speachless.
As his steer entered the arena led by Sarah Ambers and Brandon Ames, the still crowded auction arena watched as the 4-H beef members started to raise thier hands to bid this steer up. Jim Lestinsky auctioned and with each jump of 500.00 his voice echoed with anticipation for the next bid. The kids waved like they were waving to an old friend. The crowd could not believe the amount they were hearing. As the final amount was neared the skys opened up with a rain that continued through the gavel fall and ended as the last name was read on the 4 page buyer list. We all knew Chris was sending us happy tears from above. You could see his dad, mom and older brother Tom hold onto each other in disbelief. His dad tried to speak but was overcome with emotion and his mom could only say they were speachless. As the crowd stood in ovation, those of us there were witness to a life changing moment. Channel 16 WNDU was there to interview as well as the papers. In a world of sometimes less than inspiring stories, this was a site to behold. I waited to see the steer head to the barn so I could say a few words to his dad. Tom is a tall man and as I looked up into his eyes, for the first time I saw tears of loss and gratitude. This money will help with the bills but as I told him,"it will never be enough" to get back just one hour with his son. I told the family a son like him comes from people that have faith and love to share and I only hope my son, Brandon will remember what a sweet young man Chris was. Chris will always own a piece of my heart and I will miss seeing his smile. I will miss seeing him at those auctions he loved to attend. I will miss watching him as he carefully blew out his herfords he loved so much. I opened my eyes and learned there is so much more than a blue ribbon in a show pen. So thanks Chris for showing us we need to love what we do, love the people around us and have passion to live each day for the things we love.
The fair started on his birthday and today was born a herford bull calf on his farm. Life goes on but we sure will miss a good one.
Joni Ames
As his steer entered the arena led by Sarah Ambers and Brandon Ames, the still crowded auction arena watched as the 4-H beef members started to raise thier hands to bid this steer up. Jim Lestinsky auctioned and with each jump of 500.00 his voice echoed with anticipation for the next bid. The kids waved like they were waving to an old friend. The crowd could not believe the amount they were hearing. As the final amount was neared the skys opened up with a rain that continued through the gavel fall and ended as the last name was read on the 4 page buyer list. We all knew Chris was sending us happy tears from above. You could see his dad, mom and older brother Tom hold onto each other in disbelief. His dad tried to speak but was overcome with emotion and his mom could only say they were speachless. As the crowd stood in ovation, those of us there were witness to a life changing moment. Channel 16 WNDU was there to interview as well as the papers. In a world of sometimes less than inspiring stories, this was a site to behold. I waited to see the steer head to the barn so I could say a few words to his dad. Tom is a tall man and as I looked up into his eyes, for the first time I saw tears of loss and gratitude. This money will help with the bills but as I told him,"it will never be enough" to get back just one hour with his son. I told the family a son like him comes from people that have faith and love to share and I only hope my son, Brandon will remember what a sweet young man Chris was. Chris will always own a piece of my heart and I will miss seeing his smile. I will miss seeing him at those auctions he loved to attend. I will miss watching him as he carefully blew out his herfords he loved so much. I opened my eyes and learned there is so much more than a blue ribbon in a show pen. So thanks Chris for showing us we need to love what we do, love the people around us and have passion to live each day for the things we love.
The fair started on his birthday and today was born a herford bull calf on his farm. Life goes on but we sure will miss a good one.
Joni Ames
