Roy’s Sunday Letter for August 23, 2026
The Small & The Big Of Life
It is not always the large and big in life that makes a difference. In golf, it is not the 300-yard drive but the 70-yard wedge to the pin that creates birdies and lower scores. And speaking of birds, we have Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Woodpeckers. The come and go of smaller winged Tit Mouses, Finches, and Hummingbirds add to the joyful mix of large and small.
What is the smallest contribution you can make to someone’s joy, ease of living, even happiness? Now, go even smaller, slower. In the Southwest there are heat warnings with days of 105. Our mail carrier walks miles to deliver the mail we still receive. Several weeks ago, we observed that the heat was really getting to him. Beth began having chilled iced water each day. Beth asked him if Gatorade might help. So now, Beth has both iced water and chilled Gatorade ready for our heat exhausted mail guy. A Small thing unnoticed in the big of life? Not to this one mail carrier. We appreciate his work!
I am also mindful of the Big and Large of my life. There are buildings and added wings to enable agency or medical staff to provide better and additional services. Memories of the first Half Marathon or 31st Harley Party are fun to recall. Ribbon cutting of a Family Room at Hope and Healing providing the capacity for our volunteers and staff to serve additional grieving children and families. I remember the first HIV Clinic at John Peter Smith as we learned together how best to serve and treat the growing epidemic of AIDS.
Plumes is a French songwriter and known for his series “Playing for Animals.” He has played in zoos, farms, open lands and forests. There is no tempting food, just his soft playing, waiting, and allowing the animals and birds to come to him. Plumes has played for cows, horses, lions, tigers, parrots, monkeys, and giraffes. A small, meaningful contribution to the beauty and harmony of us all.
Beth is exchanging personal, slow mail letters with a friend in France. It can take a month to write, mail with a stamp. and receive a replay. A slow-down from the instant communications of our digital world. I began sending notes and cards long before email or texts. Today, my hand-written note might also include one of my stories. Cards and letters have become a Joyful, life-long habits for us both.
I hope SL readers will join me in appreciating the smaller parts of your larger life. The old story of a child being told he was wasting his time throwing the Starfish on the beach back into the oceans. “I am making a difference for this one Starfish” was his reply. So, find your Starfish. Make a difference.
Roy, practicing the art of the Starfish
,
Roy, you’re right! We can all do something to make another person feel significant. Let is find what is ours to do. Thanks for that!
You are a difference maker.
Tis who you are
Making smaller worlds better, larger, warmer.
RB
Roy you are absolutely correct. Every small gesture can mean so much to someone. I volunteer at the Closet to provide new uniforms for school children in need. Because of the donations we have received we are now able to provide tennis shoes to children that have no shoes. We distributed our first pair Friday to a young boy who was wearing a pair of flip flops to school because his parents were homeless and couldn’t purchase shoes. The boy was unable to participate in P.E or play at recess because he couldn’t keep his flip flops on. A small thing for some people, a huge thing for that young man. Choose your caring, but don’t hesitate to do the small things.
And ypur show up has been for decades.
The young men and women do not know the who of the Closet.
They know standing taller, more confident.
Wonderful for you your peers.
RB
Wonderful reminder! I have been reaching out to friends old and new lately. So easy and equally easy to forget!
🙏
The ‘give back’carries its own reward.
Yoyr Comment will encourage others to also be brave
RB
I love to shop at the Co-op here in Santa Fe. It supports our farmers and ranches and community. My small and pleasurable moment whenever I’m there is to talk with the check out person. Give a solid, happy greeting and have a few pleasantries together. Small and so worth it. Love you Roy and Beth and our mutual love of snail mail.
You are on the right path and experiencing goodness by your support with personal touch and dollars too…..RB
I love what Beth is doing for your mail carrier. So very thoughtful and caring, which is Beth. I’ll bet he really looks forward to your house and not just for the physical refreshment, but for the acknowledgement and appreciation. Love and Blessings to you both, Owen
Beth’s kindness to include the no name mail guy so very her.
We had a new carrier Friday and Saturday.
He took the Gatorade with appreciation.
Small thing, big thing. Her thing.
RB
There are so many needs in this world. Perhaps we can give a genuine gentile personal greeting of kindness to those we pass on our journeys. Many wounded souls are desperate for healing and a positive word. We can make a difference in this perplexing confusing world. No matter what direction we take in life we can “press the flesh” and take the time to listen and comfort and assist those to find healing in their lives. We have the power to MAKE A DIFFERENCE..
Your kind wods and your intentional respect and recognition of others impoertant.
Peter, your presence suppotive, evem inspiring to others.
Beth and I are honored to have you nearby even when faraway.
RB
Hard to add to this one! Great thoughts and actions expressed. As I travel I try to make a point of speaking to people at service stations, and restaurants, and show them some Texas love.
And you have alot of smiles and alot of miles.
Last SL did receive good comments
Grateful
Writing this week about Beginings and Continuings
Smiles brother…..RB