A Subtle Reminder of the Blessings We Have Received

I want to share a photo I took this evening during my rosary walk. It looks south toward the Sandhills of Nebraska from the Bennett County Fairgrounds. It was a beautiful, spring-like day—especially welcome after being cooped up all afternoon studying for my Praxis exam as I work toward obtaining my teacher certification.

As I walked and prayed, I couldn’t help but think of the ranchers impacted by the wildfires in western Nebraska. My thoughts and prayers are with them and the volunteer firefighters as they face fast-moving fires consuming thousands of acres of Ag land.

At the same time, I was reminded of how blessed I am to live in a county defined by wide-open spaces—where the skyline remains free of wind turbines, hyperscale data centers, and acres of chain-link-enclosed solar arrays.

On my walk home, I heard birds singing, saw bicyclists riding, teenagers playing pickup street basketball, and the high school track team conditioning for the season. All signs that winter is finally giving way to spring.

As you travel this spring—whether driving, biking, horseback riding, or walking—take a moment to reflect on what makes western South Dakota special. The peace and tranquility, the rangeland, the wildlife, and the people are what make this place home.