This is one of my earliest memories as a kid, from when we visited family at their ranch in rural Oklahoma. I’m told this was my first time seeing a horse up close, and that I was so afraid of the animal at first that I wouldn’t stop clutching my father’s leg in fear. I distinctly remember feeling absolutely terrified atop the massive animal, but my dad coached me through my fear and made me feel like a cowboy from the old westerns we used to watch together. This was the first of many outdoor adventures we shared, and my dad was the biggest reason I became an Eagle Scout later in life. I’ll always treasure this experience and my dad’s role in shaping the man I am today.