ROY’S SUNDAY LETTER FOR FEBRUARY 5, 2023

It is now Saturday evening, and we are home from a week in Amarillo. Beth and I left FW on Monday morning 9:30 just before sleet and freezing rain shut down Dallas/Ft Worth and then moved down to Austin. We drove through sleet and frozen rain for 3.5 hours before clearer roads and weather on our way to Amarillo. We have returned after a week of watching the Weather Channel with Icey roads and now, at last, 60 degrees. This will be a briefer Sunday Letter. Rest needed.

The Hope & Healing Place, a grief and loss center for children and families in Amarillo, was founded by Beth and her friend Tricia, 20 years ago. The current board and staff invited us, and the original board members, to attend a recognition of HHP as an essential Panhandle resource. Beth, Tricia, and I told the story of how HHP was founded, the many people who helped us along the way, volunteers and the developed of the program of grief services.

We had the most marvelous week of renewing friendships, long conversations about what was, is. and what is emerging in the lives of many dear friends. We believe we were part Amarillo for18 yrs. We learned of deaths, back surgeries, dementia, triple bypass, addiction recovery and the celebrations of families. We had the opportunity to tour the new facility of Family Supporf Services, the VA Hospital and I had coffee shop conversations with now older executive directors about pending transitions to 2nd carriers, grandchildren and thriving as an elder.

Beth and I witnessed “the new crew” carrying forward the Mission and Services of organizations so important to us. Have any of SL readers had similar experiences? There are smiles and pleasure in being a witness to “the continuing.”

  • Trinity Episcopal had a Members Meeting last Sunday so I will atend Folk Mass Sunday at noon.

** Today Beth and I will be writing notes of appreciation and gratitude to many, And, I know what my “Sunday Goodness slip will be.

Roy, my walk has been with many, and so we continue……..

11 Comments

  1. Martha Richardson on February 5, 2023 at 9:20 am

    I’m happy to learn that you and Beth were honored appropriately at the HHP celebration. It must be gratifying that your work continues and that the effort you both put into it is valued and recognized.

    • Roy Bowen on February 5, 2023 at 10:17 am

      We are indeed blessed. To witness “continuation” of mission and services at Family Support Services, Harrington Cancer Center, and Hope & Healing magical.

      Today we wash clothes and a bit of reflection
      Wow….blessed indeed.

  2. Roger Gullickson on February 5, 2023 at 9:57 am

    What a wonderful experience. You both have impacted the lives of many!

    • Roy Bowen on February 5, 2023 at 10:12 am

      We were blessed, thanked, reminded,and witnessed continuation of mission, purpose for a magical week.
      We made it out of FW ice by minutes. That was “be brave” act.
      71 in FW today.
      Sunday a wash clothes and a bit of reflection…..

    • Roy Bowen on February 5, 2023 at 4:54 pm

      &, as you know, there are others taking it in and paying attention in ways we donot know
      I would tell my staff, “There are secreet shoppers in every sudience or gatherin.

  3. Linda M on February 5, 2023 at 3:12 pm

    Will you remind me what the Sunday Goodness slip is. I know you wrote about it in one of the Sunday Letters. But I forget and it seems like a good idea. X/O

    • Roy Bowen on February 5, 2023 at 4:49 pm

      Beth saw this on FBook. Each Weekk=end or Sunday write someting good about the week, date it, and place in a” cookier jar” or pot. Mine have been 5 to 8 words Then, for no reason or perhaps a down week, pull one ort more Goodness Slips out and refresh your spirit. I like it…have not missed a Sunday.

      • Linda M on February 12, 2023 at 9:35 am

        Got it. Thank you so very much. Sounds like a wonderful idea. X/O

        • Roy Bowen on February 12, 2023 at 1:12 pm

          You have full, heavy travel scchedule. Deliveries, donor cultivation, speakiing. telling the story.
          we will find good ways of being together…..We WILL continue on together.Tis the only way we will liive our best lives

  4. Pi Luna on February 6, 2023 at 8:45 am

    So beautiful!!! Glad it was an amazing trip ❤️

    • Roy Bowen on February 6, 2023 at 3:07 pm

      The best remembered sermon title of mine was “Surprised By Joy.”
      We certainly were for a full week in Amarillo.
      Restoring, Refreshing. Reconnecting. And 5 more “Re’s”

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