By Sherry Danekas

Blessed is the season which
engages the whole world
in a conspiracy of love!
~Hamilton Mabie~

Real Reasons….these last few months I’ve been on a journey of sorts; I’ve been struggling with a lot of questions regarding the trail I’ve been traveling. While I really love everything that I do, from the ranch to this magazine, events and circumstances of late have left me questioning a great many things. There are times to stand back and take a hard look at the whole lot, and try to find a new trail that delivers a different perspective.

Real Reasons….time to take stock of what truly is important in this world and learn how to dispense with the stuff that really doesn’t matter, came in an “aha” moment as I was flying home just a week ago. Flying over the valley of clouds it dawned on me that the “real reasons” I do what I do could be summed up by the cattle sale that I had just attended. The ranch holding the sale is family owned and operated for many generations, the cattle are solid, but even more then that the family is what is most impressive.

Real Reasons….listening to the father’s opening remarks and prayer and watching the entire family in action made me realize that this lifestyle that we all dwell in daily is the “real reason”. Despite my disappoints in some folks these past few months, I’m still getting the opportunity to work side by side with my family daily as we strive to reach goals together and survive in this very complex world. I find my trail taking some paths I would have never imagined and I’m grateful for the new friends I’ve found on this new route.

As this month’s trail leads us into the holiday season, I find I’m already humming holiday classics, maybe it’s the cold frosty nights and mornings we’ve been experiencing or just the anticipation of all that family bonding, but this time of year seems almost magical. We all celebrate in many different ways, but the spirit of the season remains universal. So on your holiday trail as you select gifts, or adorn your tree, pause for just a moment….because the “real reasons” are going to be found in all the small details surrounding the season, take time to enjoy each and everyone. Happy Holidays and Trails.