Roy’s Sunday Letter for September 6, 2026
Living Beyond Our Heroes
The recent deaths of Dolly Parton (80) and Wendell Berry (92) have given me a reflective pause and also inspired me to write about Heroes this Sunday.
Dolly gave of her talents, loving heart, and economy capacity to make life better for individuals, families, here in America and to international cultures and initiatives. Wendell was a life-long advocate for farmers, the environment and the importance of connections between all of us. Dolly’s music, movies, and achievements set and reset expectations of women in the workplace, family and as contributors to a happier more fulfilling society. Wendell’s earlier writing “A Mad Farmers Manifesto” challenged my generation to pay attention to crops, nourishing the land, and the ways we each depend on each other.
When I was young, my heroes came from western movies and that new box in the corner called television. There were fewer hero choices for young girls and even fewer if your skin color was black or brown. As I grew from teen to adult my heroes were shaped by the political, the racial, and the growing unrest within America. The violent deaths of heroes John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luthor King thrust me into a life of ministry and social services.
Who were your heroes of youth? Heroes as young adult? And heroes now in this life stage? Are there common traits between your differing heroes such as strength, courage, mistakes, wisdom, being there for others within family or civic or faith community? Over time, have your heroes broaden to diverse gender, race, cultural background and economic interests? My heroes, in each life stage, have encouraged me, pushing me into a wider more open world beyond my Texas background. This weekend, I have slowed down, given each hero time and emotional space to once again emerge and talk to the me of Now.
I thought who would I be without the heroes who taught me, showed me, kept me safe, allowed me to take risks and helped me move from one hero to another. Different heroes, different choices and outcomes. In summary, a different me.
Who were you a hero to when younger and now in your adult life? What have you learned from each relationship? In what ways have you brought these lessons into your life? If not, mentoring or being a hero today, would you consider making yourself available to be and do so?
A short list of my Heroes: Hop Along Cassidy, Thomas Merton, Anne Lamott, Joan Baez, and Jim Greene who gave me my first job when I was beyond young. Beth always my true, forever Hero, showing me kindness, courage, and going beyond herself for others.
Roy, grateful for heroes both then and now.