Have you ever wished something wouldn’t end? I remember being so excited to plan our wedding. The day after the wedding I said something my husband will never let me forget: “I miss the wedding.”
I remember him laughing at me and telling me I was crazy because he definitely did not share my love for wedding planning and working out all the little details. He was relieved the wedding was over and certainly didn’t miss getting ready for it one bit.
But I missed the anticipation. I missed watching it all come together and the joy I felt while getting ready for the big day.
Over the years after various milestones occurred like the birth of our children or successfully wrapping up a show, he would lean over and tell me that he missed the (fill in the blank).
I’m pretty sure we’re both going to be saying “I miss Olivia” here soon. I’m trying to keep busy, so I don’t have to sit in all of the big feelings that come with a senior getting ready to graduate. Although you know it’s a good thing, and it’s what you raised them to do, it’s awfully hard to let them go.
Sometimes I feel like we’re going so fast that I’m afraid I’m missing out on soaking it all in…as if being able to savor every second will somehow make time stand still. That trick hasn’t worked for me yet, but I’ve really enjoyed watching her grow over the past 18 years and prepare for the next chapter of her life.
Recently, I’ve had the privilege to read a few of her scholarship essays and it struck me again after reading them how grateful I am she’s been able to be a part of the livestock industry, and specifically the swine industry. She has been mentored and poured into by so many incredible people – people who have forever impacted who she is and what she will do someday.
One person she wrote about is Maddie Fugate. I’m pretty sure Maddie was one of Olivia’s first friends as Maddie instantly gravitated toward Olivia when I brought my new baby girl to the 2006 National Junior Summer Spectacular. I still remember Maddie packing Olivia around on her hip all over the barn.
Olivia’s admiration for Maddie grew. In one of her essays, she shared this story about her first public speaking contest:
“Maddie was an amazing public speaker and competed in every public speaking contest with much success. I knew I wanted to be just like her, so I competed in a prepared speaking contest at a national swine show when I was about 12 years old,” Olivia wrote. “I walked in without notecards, confident that I knew my speech, because I did. About halfway through my first speech, I stared at that audience unsure of what my next words were. My mind was blank, I locked my knees and it seemed like the world was ending. Eventually, I remembered the next paragraph, finished my speech, and answered their questions. But when I ran into the hallway and saw Maddie, I started crying. She knew just what to say, and the next year I worked up the courage to try again.”
Since that day, Olivia has competed in many public speaking contests. She’ll be the first to point out she’s had her fair share of mess-ups, mistakes and blank moments. But each time she speaks, she comes out of the room full of passion and excitement about what she got to speak about. That just fires her up to use her voice again.
Even though using her voice can be scary at times, she has learned that it can also be a very useful tool. I don’t know what her future holds, but I believe she’ll find a way to continue using her voice for agriculture.
That’s just one of the many benefits of Olivia’s involvement in youth swine associations, 4-H and FFA over the years. Those experiences helped her uncover her passions and provided her with tangible ways to go pursue those passions in a career in agriculture.
The more opportunities, direction and motivation we can provide for our young people through these organizations and activities, the better off the agriculture industry will be in the future. I am beyond excited about the next generation and what they will bring to this world.
How are you investing in making experiences like this possible for kids? How are you mentoring a young person and reminding them they can go back in the room one more time? It’s a pretty neat thing to play a role in someone else’s success.
My heart is full heading into graduation this weekend knowing that she’s had so many wonderful people pour into her life so far and that’s not going to change. My sincere thanks to all of you who have played a part and will be playing a part in her next chapter.
Although it may look different this fall, I know she has a strong foundation to stand on. No, it’s not going to be easy to let her go, but I know there is more growing and learning ahead.
Read More:
Green Shavings and High Heels: The High School ‘Lasts’ Aren’t Easy
Why We Need More Youth to Speak Up About Ag
No, He’s Not a Buffalo: Why We Can’t Avoid Their Questions Anymore
There’s Just Something About Stock Show Friends
Mental Toughness: Make the Most of What Life Throws at You
