Miller Family County Fair and Marriage
Last weekend my daughter, Mallory, who works in Inside Sales here at McCormick, and I got to show our heifer cows at the Gwinnett County Fair here in Georgia. Mallory has shown cattle since she was in the 5th grade and really loves the experience. Since moving from Illinois over five years ago, it has been much tougher to pull this event off. We do not have the great facilities to raise cattle as we had in Benton, IL. However, last summer we bought some registered Angus and showed at the local fair for the first time. We had very little time to prepare and put weight on our animals last year. This year, however, we were much more prepared. The county fair experience, as many of you know, is really unique, wholesome and fun. I look forward to it every year and this year was no exception.
Even though Mallory has shown quite a lot and I have helped get the animals ready over the years, I have not personally shown cattle in many years, since high school, some 15 years or so. Well, maybe a little longer than that, ha-ha. It was so much fun being in the show ring. I had forgotten how much fun it was. Mallory finished 2nd and I placed 3rd in our class. This is a big jump from last year, were I placed last and Mallory's heifer got to compete for Grand Champion. She did not win, but it was fun to be in the running and too watch her show. Thanks for letting me share this slice of my life with you as I know many of you can relate to our experience. I hope you realize that you're never too old to show cattle and relive those childhood memories. I encourage you to do the same.
Another tidbit of information I'd like to share, actually a pretty big piece of information. Mallory got engaged recently and will be getting married next May. Kevin McClosky is the young man I look forward to welcoming into our family. Even though I have been very close to Mallory I feel I am gaining a son not losing a daughter.
Kevin is a very good young man who comes from a great family. I gave him a bit of a hard time (please forgive me) when he did the honorable thing and came to ask my permission before asking Mallory to marry him; something you don't always see in the young men of today, a quality I admire. Being the farmer that I am at heart I told him he had to re-finish one piece of old farm equipment, a 1250 IH grinder mixer, before taking her as his bride. Well, before you think I am too harsh, I think it could be a bonding experience for us and he can learn more about our life as farmers. I want him to learn about this great heritage many of us share in American agriculture, which I am honored to be a part of. He took it like a champ as I knew he would. I may let him off the hook. Welcome Kevin! Congratulations to you, both and may God bless your marriage.
Kendra and I are moving to another stage of life with my son going away to college and now one of our children getting married. I know it will be good, but the supper table is becoming very different. I know a lot of you can relate to what I'm feeling; a bit scared, but also excited as the house is becoming quieter. The hustle and bustle which has been brisk for so many years is slowing down. I am very proud of Mallory as I am with all of my children and also very thankful God has blessed Kendra and me with good kids.
