Leddi Tuggle

Throughout the years, there have been a lot of highs and lows. I am blessed to have a family and friends who support me no matter what. Between doing good in school, achieving goals with my livestock, or even small accomplishments that mean the most, I always know that I have people to lean on or turn to. Everyone has their lows, for me it was losing my cousin in 2021. My oldest cousin, Lariat Larner, unexpectedly passed away in a car accident in Stillwater, Oklahoma on October 13, 2021. With Lariat’s passing, I have found out that you will realize who is there for you and who isn’t. Although people will text you and say how “sorry” they are, you understand it’s the people who show up, do the little things, listen to you talk, or just give you a hug.

If you had the chance to meet Lariat, you would easily see that she constantly had a smile on her face. She was always the first person to make a point to cheer you up, whether it was with a joke or encouragement, she always would. Even though I was 11 years younger than her, she was always my favorite cousin. Hearing different stories from her friends, family members, and even people who barely knew her at all, always brings me joy. My favorite memory with lariat was in July of 2021, at the Texas Cowboy Reunion. Lariat, 3 of her college friends, my sister, and I all stayed with her parents for 6 days. Throughout our stay we created so many core memories, between racing on a slip-n-slide, going to get tires changed and jamming out with music the whole time, or going to concerts every night. She wasn’t just my cousin, she was one of my best friends, who I looked up to so much.

Now, more than ever, my family and I, honor her name. Doing everyday things, I stop and think “what would Lariat do in this situation.” We firmly believe that she now has eternal life in heaven and we celebrate that with all things pink, sparkly, adding in turquoise jewelry, and wearing bold outfits, just the way she would if she were still here.