Roy’s Sunday Letter For December 14, 2025
Inspiring People, Events, and Memories
Ryon Price, Senior Pastor, Broadway Baptist, writes a one-page letter each Friday. This Friday’s letter is a memory of my childhood, being with my mother in downtown Fort Worth at Leonard’s Department Store. I do remember a man, without legs below the knees, outside Leonard’s. He would offer pieces of pretty paper and pencils, hoping to be noticed. I somehow remember dropping my childhood coins in his cup. Roy Orbison recorded a hit Christmas song about this man, Frankie Brierton, titled “Pretty Paper.” Now we know who actually wrote the song…Willie Nelson, at the time Willie was a young local radio DJ. This is an inspiring story of man whose simple presence inspired others…and me too.
- Movies can show and tell us of life’s challenges. Two movies, RESPECT (Aretha Franklin) and LILLI (Lilli Ledbetter) are “lift you up” scripts of pain and suffering, of overcoming the push down of others. Aretha was a Gospel singer with talent and determination that broke free from that limitation. She went on to inspire others, became and internationally acclaim in popular music. Later in life Aretha returned to her true home of Gospel music. Lilli worked for Goodyear for 20 years and was denied equal wages and promotions. After decades of disappointment, but always telling her story, Lilli’s determination was rewarded by Congress passing Equal Pay & Fair Treatment bills in support of all in the workplace right to be included and belong.
The Buddhist Monks are now on Day 50, preparing to leave Mississippi, on their 2,300 mile Walk for Peace. Jesus also walked dusty trails gathering followers, as he told parables and taught spiritual truths. Ghandi walked to the sea for salt and the reclaiming of personal and cultural power. Women in America walked for the right to vote, for education and for justice. The monks remind me of the walk of Jesus, Ghandi, and women arm and arm. The Monk’s daily walking is a call for right choices, peaceful living, and kindness for all.
- Georgia O’Keefe inspired me to open my eyes to colors, shapes, and landscapes that were new to me. She lived with purpose and intent, not always understood by others. O’Keefe was true to who she was. Thomas Merton wrote of an engaged faith. He wrote at a time in America of racial injustice and an American war with unclear objectives and a growing number of deaths and injured. Merton wrote for those of who were seeking a faith matched to national and world events.
Jazz is our 16 yr. old Wire Fox Terrier, absence of vision and hearing. Every day at 4PM is play time with her ball. Jazz inspires us by knowing our hallways, her bed, the back yard and porch. Jazz inspires Beth and I with her courage, of her being brave to play, to find her way, of her staying close to us to keep her safe.
Who Inspires you? What have the persons or cause taught you? Who have you inspired?
Roy, inspired by so many, inspired by SL readers
Individuals that are willing to give their time to a worthy cause inspire me every day. They don’t do it for recognition they do it because they have a giving spirit and a love for people that have less than they do. Last Sunday night our church filled 360 bags with a coat, jeans,sweatshirt, a pair of shoes, a toy, a book, a Bible socks and underwear. There were over 100 volunteers that filled the bags and drivers that delivered them to their respective schools. Those children will have something to open on Christmas morning that they would probably otherwise do without. Even if you as an individual do not have extra money to give you can always give your time and effort. Those people are my daily inspiration.
A wonderful description of a giving heart and a giving life.
The UCC volunteers are “go beyond” people of faith.
Inspiring to how you have shaped the lves of so many kids and families.
I am thankful for you in so many ways.
More for we 3 on Friday….Roy
Thanks to you for sharing your coins with this man in front of Leonards. I too remember his presence and really never gave it a lot of thought but now realize that his life must have been so different than mine. I am familiar with Roy Orbison and Willie’s rendition of “Pretty Papers” but now wonder where we failed, in giving real help to this man we wrote off as a “beggar”. Now wish I would have sought more information from him: Was he a war casualty? Did he work for the railroad and encounter a tragic injury? Was this a congenital condition that he had to suffer throughout his life? Was the pencil and paper business providing a means of life or was it a supplement to some sort of pension? Perhaps we could have done much more than drop our nickel in his cup.
Friend forever Jerry….
Roni’s letter went on to say the leg loss was from a childhood medical condition.
His adult daughter was also interviewed at the time.
The daughter daid her father was offered wheelchairs but turned down the offeres.
Her father preferred to drag himself along the sidewalk.
Where he lived and where he went at night unknown
Lots of questions other the song.
My memory beyond old and faded, fading quickly
Glad you and I still have fragments enough for an old guy outside Leonards.
Peter Kleven is wintering in condo in St. Paul.
Recent St. Francia deaths: Martha Brooks and John Orr.
Best to you and family in ways. Roy & Beth
I have had the privilege of spending Thursday – Sunday with Comanche friends from Oklahoma. Their presence at High Hope Ranch, where I am visiting in Glen Rose, TX was once a safe haven for their tribe in a fertile valley protected by rolling hills and rocky cliffs. Their commitment to us, their anglo brothers and sisters, in solidarity for protecting these amazing lands, which are preserved by the Living Lands Trust inspires me. Reaching beyond race, color, culture and place, we are one in loving the land and its waters, and loving each other with open hearts and gratitude.
Magical days, moments, words, silence within tribe, within community, within teepee.
& gratitude for brining we SL readers along with you.
A rare sharing of both the past and the now.
Roy
Thanks for the letter Roy.. Gus and Dewey send positive dog karma to Jazz.. may we learn from her and her positive attitude and energy despite her afflictions.. Dogs are just the best!! Happy Sunday to all. md
Jazz is our 5th dog
Maybe our last
Jazz waking up makes my morning great
1
we 2 legged are made the better by the two legged
We of the 2 legged are made the better by the 4 legged.
RB
I once wrote about our dog who passed, Patches, “Life Lessons I Learned From Patches.” Their only job is giving love, ours is to honor that!
Yes to Patches!
What we return, freely given, does not match the goodness of heart we receive.
We have friend who volunteers at Dallas dog/cat rescue.
I am not tough enough for that service.
temps here from 59 to 79.
Best to you dear friend and all of famoily…..Roy