Reserved Seating Only

'That Famous Preston Night Rodeo' and summer has come and gone. Jeff & I often usher as volunteers. Last year was the first for electronic tickets. There were big-time computer errors and they had double and even triple-sold some of the seats in our sections. Ugh! It made for alot of irate buckaroos! We opted out as helpers this year to avoid controversy.
So, as per tradition, the family (minus the real cowboy in the Leonard bunch) rounded up blankets, boots, and hats and attended the Friday night rodeo. Once again, there was drama in the bleachers! On the east side in our 'reserved' section, there were still several scattered seats available even after the rodeo had started. Obviously uniformed, the usher had been telling people to "sit wherever you want in these two areas." WRONG! And he was soon to find out... When patrons with paper tickets started coming in with seat and row specified, thirty minutes of chaos ensued. The Rodeo fans had come a little late, but what was the worry? They had, after all, reserved their specific seats and rightfully expected them to still be unoccupied. Rodeo Committee volunteers tried to fix the problem by explaining calmly and rearranging the bodies in the many open seats still around us. Most people recognized it as an unfortunate mix-up and knew they hadn't paid the extra price or made the early effort to buy their seating ahead of time. They were willing to do the boot scootin' boogie to seats a few rows over, up, or down. But, one obstinate, bull-headed guy absolutely refused to 'cowboy up' and face it like a man! He loudly protested and shouted that it was his right to sit where he wanted because he "had gotten there thirty minutes ago"!!! Now, he knew full well that he had only paid the general admission entrance fee, but he was not going to move from the already reserved seat. He made a big scene and even the company he was with reluctantly but obligingly, moved to a very nearby section. I'm not sure how many beers the guy had under his belt buckle for the night, but he was determined to sit there-alone if necessary-to prove his point. And his point was what? That he could push and shove his way into a seat he did not pay for at the expense of the guy that had rightfully purchased a numbered seat with pre-planning and added cost? Sad to say, the workers gave in. It was the easy out, but they should've told him if he didn't move on his own they could find a police escort for him! He sat there alone in a section with people all around him that thought he was a jerk and a loud-mouthed bully. I don't know what kind of satisfaction he got out of it. I hope he enjoyed his moment of glory.
In Heaven, ("that big arena in the sky", as they say in the cowboy prayer) my family and friends will probably be known as 'the rowdy bunch', like on the West side at the rodeo. I want to be surrounded by people I love and am comfortable with and who have the same hopes & dreams and faith. And, I can't wait to be close to the "Announcer". I'm trying to 'pre-pay' and make my reservations early by living the gospel and being valiant as a mother and church member. My life is sometimes like saddle bronc riding though. Whew! It's a wild ride! Lots of ups and downs and jerks and tumbles. I'm holding on for dear life, but I still get bucked off and land with a thud-the wind knocked out of me. I dust myself off, pull up those boot straps and get 'back in the saddle again'. The effort comes at some extra cost and sacrifice, but I know in the end, I can't expect a chair if I don't pay the price now. I imagine the escorts up there will be the strong and noble-men like Captain Moroni or those 'Stripling Warriors'. Who is going to argue with them and shout, "But, I was here first"?
No matter what time I get there, early or late, I want to arrive at a full gallop, wavin' my hat and yelling, "Yee-Haw! I made it!" And, as I swing down from golden stirrups, I have complete confidence that my 'reserved seat' will be there waiting- just for me. But, only IF I have earned it! And I'm hoping there aren't any empty chairs around me-especially in "Section L".
Well, so long 'partners' and Happy Trails to you---until we meet again!