Make-A-Wish!

Burnt Well signed on with the Make-A-Wish foundation several years ago, and through the foundation we’ve been blessed to have 3 families stay with us. Over the week of July 4^th we were able to host Brock Harrell along with his parents, Jason and Stephanie and his brother, Justin. We enjoyed every minute that we had with them. Brock is a lively, outgoing 10 year old that has a great attitude about life! You would never have known there was anything in his life threatening to slow him down or discourage him. He is one awesome kid with an awesome family! Our hats are off to the Harrell’s for fostering an attitude and atmosphere in their family of normalcy, realistic outlooks, and optimism. They were a joy to have!

Brock showed up at Burnt Well completely outfitted in cowboy gear from head to foot with a brand new straw hat, button down western shirt, belt, wranglers, and cowboy boots! A BIG thanks to our friends Dale and Kay, owners of Roswell Livestock and Farm Supply! Older brother Justin wasn’t about to be left out in the hat department though. After bargaining and agreeing to a haircut, Justin was treated to a new straw hat by his parents. So after their first full day at Burnt Well, while we were having music practice, Stephanie opened up the Burnt Well Barber Shop! She said, “I bet I’m the first guest who has ever borrowed your hair clippers!”

During their stay we rode…A LOT! We gathered and worked sheep during the week, and then went to the 4th of July rodeo in Capitan and explored historic Lincoln, NM. It was Brock’s first time at a rodeo, but if you were to watch him running around the arena during the calf scramble, you would have thought he was a seasoned pro! And later on ‘dad’ (Jason) even tried his ~~hand~~ foot at riding Patricia’s unicycle!

The camaraderie that we felt with the Harrell’s was instant and lasting. It was just like having the neighbors over (and they brought our first substantial rain in a REALLY long time!) Our thoughts and prayers are with this little boy and his family in the difficult curve life has thrown them. Teagan has a children’s book titled The Toughest Cowboy, and I’m pretty sure Grizz Brickbottom would look like a sissy compared to Brock Harrell!

“May God be with you in a very intimate way as you travel this journey you have found yourselves on.”

Thank you Stephanie for sharing these pictures with us all!