Giving Back

Just before I moved to Minnesota I was in contact with a young man that had terminal cancer. He was around 10 years old. I met him at a barn I was training out of. His mom had brought him there because he was crazy about horses. In the beginning I didn’t even know that he was sick. He was so happy and enthusiastic that I told him he could come help me groom horses. After awhile I hauled an old horse up there that he could ride. This was met with even more enthusiasm.

Eventually his mother sat down with me and told me what was going on with him. I wouldn’t have known by looking at him because at the time he was in remission, but he had been through numerous surgeries and radiation. Once I found that out it made me put even more effort and time in than I had been. I set up wagon rides and took him to some ropings, let him ride around with the big boys and we set up a benefit for him. It took about 90 days to set this up. Wiley Gufstason came in and played, we received many donations, plus we had an auction and we were able to raise enough money to allow him to experience some things the family would not have been able to do, one of which was a trip to Disneyland, plus help with some of the medical bills. One of the things I remember the most about this young man is that he never whined or moaned about his health issues. He was always bright, cheerful, and enthusiastic, and he enjoyed participating in everything we could offer.

Now, if you think there isn’t a God then listen to this: 2 years after I moved to Minnesota I had
a young man at my ranch, as an apprentice, that was from back in Idaho where I lived. When the summer was over I took him back to Idaho and while I was in there I received a call from the mother of the young man with cancer. He was succumbing to his disease and I was able to sit with him as he drew his last breath. I felt so blessed that I was able to be there with him. This young man was very special to me. I hope that I was able to make things easier and make his days brighter. I know he sure impacted my life. God has impeccable timing.

My point with this article is not to pat myself on the back, but to encourage each and every one of you to give back. It doesn’t have to be money, it can be as simple as going to the hospital and visiting the young or the old. I want my generation, and the next generation, to know that nothing is better than giving back, and more always comes to you than you gave.

It doesn’t matter who you are or what your  talent is, there is a need out there that someone
has. You may know them or you may not know them at all. But there are countless people who need you. Every year I go to a benefit for St. Judes in Illinois. I do demonstrations, lessons and training. All fees charged are donated back to St.  Judes. It is one of the talents I have to offer.

I recently came into contact with Rex Kent. He heads up the Western Wishes Midwest Chapter and was at EquiFest this year. We chatted quite a bit and my mind was made up then that I would do whatever I could to help this organization, be it through my facility, the horse training or just supporting the functions. I decided that wherever I could help I would. The thing is, if everybody does a little bit then it really adds up. It can be working at your local food shelf or helping your neighbor down the road.

Giving back is also about something else - we often look at people that are having a rough
time and make judgments that are unfair... usually this is your issue, not theirs... here is always someone, if you open your eyes and are looking, that needs help. The holiday season is coming up and with the economy the way it has been there  are going to be numerous people out there that aren’t worrying about gifts, they are wondering  how they are going to get Christmas dinner on the table.

I have a very dear friend that had a stroke a few years ago, and in the beginning he felt that
he didn’t have anything to give back. Today, he is learning that he still has the gift of gab and is learning to develop that into a story and give back hope to others that may have lost there hope in what can sometimes be extremely hard and  difficult situations.

We live in a fast paced world and we really need to slow down and look around us on a
regular basis... You’ll also give yourself a gift by blessing someone else.

Please visit the Western Wishes website and facebook page also. There are some incredibly
kids this organization is working with and Rex and his crew are in the business of being a blessing.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/348412233847
Website - http://westernwishesmidwest.org

Have a Merry Christmas! Remember the reason for the season.
Dennis Auslam