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
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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!
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.
Wonderful reminder! I have been reaching out to friends old and new lately. So easy and equally easy to forget!
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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.