I’m a writer. I make a living putting words together in order to tell stories, share experiences and arouse passions.

There are no words that will take away the pain of loss, and in the case of the family and friends of Kim Asay, I offer my prayers and my heart to you in her death. Kim, the mother of NFR qualifer Kanin Asay and bronc rider Kaleb Asay, died Wednesday in a horse-related accident.

I never got to know Kim, but I’m proud to say I’ve become acquainted with Kanin, a wonderful bull rider and, from many others tell me, one of the best people this world has. He’s polite, he’s kind and he’s giving. He’s also a Christian, and I suspect he and others will lean heavily on their faith in the coming days.

Tragedy is nothing new in the world of rodeo, but this is a case where I reach into my “thankful” bag and appreciate all the things I have close to me. I hope you do, too.