Two weeks ago My Cowboy and me traveled up to my home-state of Montana. Three of my siblings and their families were there as well, so it was a good time to visit my parents and other members of my family. We planned to only stay for the weekend, but we have been so busy this month that I completely forgot Clay would be gone the following week for a work trip. I hate being home alone. I usually travel to be with my sister that lives close-ish when he has work trips. Said sister was living it up in Montana as well though, so that wasn’t an option.

Naturally, being the thinker I am, realized I would either have a week at home alone, or I could stay in Montana for the week and party with my family while Clay was on his trip. I love to party, so I chose to stay in Montana all week. It was so much fun! We had good eats, good company, and did many things that make up a great time.

Prior to this month, (July is excluded from these feelings because it has been so fun, crazy, chaotic, fun, busy, and fun, thus the lack of blog posts) I had really been feeling the daily grind and craved a break from it. I think most of us have those times. Sometimes life just gets daunting and we need a change of pace, a change of scenery. This trip was just the thing to give me what I needed. It helped rejuvenate me and brought me peace I hadn’t felt in a long time.

One evening, I took a little walk down the road. The road I took was filled with the perfect view of one of my most favorite scenes- a Montana sunset. 

While I strolled, the Montana sunset completely encompassed my world and reminded me of things I so often felt as I walked that road when I was younger. It brought me peace. It brought a remembrance of my days before adulthood that were filled with work, family, friends, the beauty that surrounded me daily, and fresh-cut hay. (If you don’t appreciate the smell of fresh-cut hay, you need to.) As a teenager, I loved all those things and knew I would miss home once I ventured to college, but I still don’t think we fully appreciate home until we leave it. 

I’m grateful for the opportunities to go back to my childhood home and enjoy a Montana sunset. Most of my siblings don’t live as close to Montana as we do, so we work hard to travel there often and take advantage of the proximity. Last week, several of my siblings and I had the opportunity to enjoy our childhood home together. That made my Montana sunset even better. 

I am convinced that barley is the prettiest crop.

And Montana is the prettiest place…

It is so refreshing going back home and spending time the way I spent it when I was a kid. That always seems to bring fresh perspective into my life. Going back to our roots is a fantastic way to remember who we have been, who we are, and where we want to be. For me, it offers a real chance for self-reflection.

Taking in a Montana sunset also instills in me a deep gratitude for my parents. They gave us a good life. We had space to play, work, and grow. The country life may not be for everyone, but it was and is SO for me. It brings with it a simplicity and pace of life I just couldn’t imagine being found anywhere else. 

A Montana sunset is so much more than what meets the eye. I highly recommend one.

Happy Friday!