County fair week is all about rushing, brushing, grooming, sleeplessness, nurturing, frustration, trepidation and celebration. It’s also full of hard-fought successes, learning patience, respecting authority, making new friends and mentoring 4-H’ers. That’s where a lot of our family’s joy comes in.

Our 15-year-old granddaughter Kaelynn loves her Polled Hereford cattle. She’s been showing them at the Vigo County Fair in Indiana since she was 10. She could often be found curled up by a cow’s head, talking in its ear, or taking a snooze with the cows. While she still loves to snuggle and show her cattle, she’s now embracing mentoring mini 4-H’ers on our farm and in the fair’s cattle barn.

Kaelynn’s favorite mentee is Nolan, a 6-year-old boy whose parents are good friends of ours. He loves everything about the farm, hands-on experiences, and he loves Kaelynn, too. Nolan follows her like the Pied Piper everywhere, wanting to help while asking limitless questions. Combing, brushing, washing, drying, feeding and scooping poop don’t daunt him. He’s indeed her shadow.

My joy is seeing Kaelynn, a sweet, introverted and quiet teenager, thoroughly embrace high-energy Nolan as a little brother. They tease each other unmercifully, but he respects her completely.

The last day of the fair, our daughter Lillian, Kaelynn’s stepmother, hosted a final cookout at their RV for our family and Nolan’s family. While finishing off 4-H-frosted cupcakes, suddenly everyone stood up while Kaelynn and Lillian picked up Nolan and carried him to the nearest cattle trough. A refreshing dunking initiation commenced with Nolan yelling in delight.

Nolan will never forget his fair bath. I daresay he’s anxiously awaiting the 2024 fair with Kaelynn. I hope I never forget the joy and memory of seeing my granddaughter and her sidekick living their best 4-H lives.

Hayhurst writes from Terre Haute, Ind.