The Lamb family is made up of three girls and one boy, with two 4-H'ers
at the lead. Although there are only two Lambs left in active 4-H duty,
for several years, 4-H meant great family bonding time.
Just to survive each other's company before and during the fair was
quite an accomplishment. We planted seeds and pulled weeds for garden
projects, baled hay, hauled manure and managed early wake-up calls for
our beef calves, and we shared one sewing machine between three sisters
for clothing construction.
The county fair was our working family vacation. Grooming four Angus
heifers for the same class was truly a test of patience, and washing
four squealing pigs in a downpour was great fun!
Mom's home cooking seemed to taste better when the showbox was transformed
into our family dinner table. The closeness I have gained through working
together with my family in 4-H is something I will always value.
Through 4-H, my "family" grew to include fellow 4-H members,
their families, our educator, and 4-H leaders and volunteers. These
family members taught me the true meaning of friendship.
During my first year of 4-H, an accident unloading one of our heifers
left dad with three cracked ribs and a few 4-H'ers with a lot of worry.
Immediately, there were offers of help. We had help unloading tack and
equipment, setting up gates, and grooming calves on show day. Friends
even provided us meals when doctor's appointments kept our parents away
from the fairgrounds.
4-H members laughed together during water fights at the wash racks,
worked together painting bleachers for the show arena, and cried together
as we felt the loss of two young 4-H friends who died in an automobile
accident in 1992.
The 4-H adult leaders, volunteers and club members I have grown to
know helped me realize that friendship is an action word. And so is
competition.
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