Roy’s Sunday Letter for Match 15, 2026
A Writing About Balancing The Quiet & The Noise
A writer of people’s stories placed a recording microphone in a city park. His sign, asked a simple question, Who Inspired You? The resulting stories were of teachers, grandparents and the encouragement of others. I would add these similar signs: Who Gave You Comfort? Who Listened to You? Who Guided You at a Time When You Were Lost? Who Have You Guided, Listened To, and Given Comfort? What would be one story of your life spoken into a microphone in a city park?
- When I was a younger social worker, my dedication was to develop plans of services for the underserved, for those left behind. I avoided the Quiet, the Still. Those were days of a noisy, chaotic environment. We were a gathering of likeminded individuals and groups sharing the passion of making a difference, of making both the smaller and larger world a better place. We stayed together through years of racial injustice, Vietnam, AIDS, and Covid. Today, I am comfortable with reflection, of the quiet and of the still. I am better about balancing peaceful living in a troubled world.
American sports fans are entering the season of basketball’s March Madness and soon golf at The Masters in Agusta, GA. At the same time, America is disrespecting individuals and working families whose background and culture may be different. Will America be more known for a military war or somehow to live alongside March Madness and The Masters?
- Since the publication of 32 writings in 2022, I have continued to create new characters and story lines. Today, the new writings total 58. Before making decisions and next steps, I am editing drafts of the 58. Deciding about right wording is slow, hard work. As I clear more stories, I will be able to make these available to readers who might enjoy my style of storytelling.
Beth and I are planning a surprise for Easter…..more about April 5 in the weeks to come.
Roy, my question to you, what did I do to deserve such good people as you in our lives?
Roy, as a young social worker making noise. I know something about that time. I worked alongside Roy in the SE area of Ft. Worth in a Community defined by White flight and transitioning from home ownership to largely rentals. The kind of stuff one would see in the 70s as a generation before us aged and left the community. We did what we could for those who still hung on to those attempting to hang on. It was a good time now that I look and think back. Roy and I have been friends since that time moving in our own directions but always taking those days with me as learned experiences. Thank you, Roy, for those days!
so young we were, still are in some ways.
WE were believers in the good of each other and those around us.
Yea, disappointments but showing up the next morning,
Tis who we were
Tis who we are
You and Beth are a constant in my life. I don’t remember much about the days after Jim died, but I clearly remember the two of you standing in my living room after driving 5 hours from Amarillo to attend his funeral and then leaving to drive back to Amarillo to fulfill a work duty. That my dear friends is what makes you so special. You show up in our darkest hour and your presence makes a difference.it isn’t the things we have acquired that make life special it is the people that show up when it isn’t convient and give us the support we need.
Beth always the better and leader of the two.
whether the present moment be dark or full of light. we, all of us, shine forth in the ways we can.
Today, many friends are suffering: Alz, Cancer new or returning, Parkinson…..more.
We were taught early about the need for and power of being present.
I do not have her skills, cards, caring
I do notes, Sunday Letter, a text here and there
My message this Sunday, to all: You Belong
We keep at it together…..
You did and do so much! Always have been willing to share yourself and your time and knowledge to benefit other. Inspirational. Plus just plain good people. Also each week share a chance to reflect amid the pace of daily things and especially turbulence.
Grateful!!
And I am grateful.
I learn from touching edges with others.
I have learned from and will continue to do so.
grateful for you being in my connected world…..
I was fortunate to have many mentors. A high school track coach making it known that if you had the desire to participate in track athletics, you were welcome. The coach was a mentor in nurturing and building souls to strengthen to those fortunate to be in his presence. I stumbled through the process of understanding my direction in life by those who seemed to be placed intentionally in my path. Many stories and many heroes. Roy, I am fortunate to have both you and Beth in my world. There is so much that needs our attention. The is much to do.
I was fortunate to have many mentors. A high school track coach making it known that if you had the desire to participate in track athletics, you were welcome. The coach was a mentor in nurturing and building souls to strengthen to those fortunate to be in his presence. I stumbled through the process of understanding my direction in life by those who seemed to be placed intentionally in my path. Many stories and many heroes. Roy, I am fortunate to have both you and Beth in my world. There is so much that needs our attention. The is much to do.
YOU, mentor, friend, guide, listener, co-creator, advocate, leader—have shared years together shaping our lives and having the curiosity to ask and ponder how others do. BETH, my solace in my darkest of hours, a light shining bright and consistently until I could once again be grateful for the light…and be appreciative of the dark. YOU 2 have shown me love, caring, goodness, fun, friendship, family (chosen) and most importantly LOVE. To YOU 2 I love you to the moon and back.