Roy’s Sunday Letter for January 25, 2026
An Open Sharing with Sunday Letter Readers & Followers
A fiction writer once wrote of ‘wonder’ and ‘wander.’ On this cold, wintery mix weekend, I offer a Sunday Letter of Reflection. Beth and I have enjoyed older homes with only one new build. Our vintage homes have been in Ft. Worth, Weatherford, Amarillo and Santa Fe. Now in Ft. Worth our home is 102 years strong. Most of our friends have lived in one home and one city. Who would we be if we had stayed in our first home near TCU? For us, each city-home came with faces and cultures of individuals and communities. These moves allowed us to be students and learning about diversity. Where have you lived? What have you learned from each?
- Jazz is our 5th dog and is now 16 yrs, +. Earlier Player, Georgia, Reggie, and Tallie raised us up, filled our days with walks, toys, laughter and joy, and being a partner with us in each life stage. Grateful for all of their contributions…making us more real and human.
For Beth and me, our individual rural grandparents represent the safest place, time, rural life pace, and accepting of a child’s desire to belong, to experience hearts with love. We were shaped by their values of crops, tractors, aunts and uncles, that made us when needed to be corrected and loved always.
- Our vocational lives have been ones of “service.” For Beth education, private practice as a therapist, co-founder of the Hope & Healing Place, a Grief & Loss for Children & Families, and for five yrs. teaching art to a wonderfully diverse group of elders at Como Community Center. For me, fifty yrs. of progressive nonprofit leadership and mentoring of younger executive directors and board members. In 2016, new to Santa Fe, I began a 2nd career as a teller and writer of stories, publishing my collection titled “Let Me Tell You a Story.” I write today of those who face challenges, somehow make it through and continue on with courage, to become whom they were meant to be.
Beth and I are people of Faith. Our Tuesday Mediation group has become our daily Practice. We follow the Monks on Day 92 of their “Walk for Peace,” with Aloka the “Peace dog.” In these days of darkness this is Light, this is Hope. Friends, over coffee or digital, are coast to coast, a few young, most sharing our elder path of resistance to hate, harm, and wrongful words.
- Loose notes to conclude. The ability to hit a golf ball gave me an education. With heroes murdered on TV and justice marches met with fire hoses; I left the golf team to go save the world. I smile to remember my nine months of wearing a priest shirt in the New Orleans Parish Prison. Meeting Beth at St. Francis. House Church, in May 1977 was my best Sunday of all Sundays. Beth is the kindest, most gifted and talented person in my life, and now Editor of the Sunday Letter. Whoever we are to be at 81 and 77, we will find out togetherness as the days ahead unfold.
Roy, still with Wonder and Wander!
What a blessing to have a Sunday off and read this Sunday letter as soon as I receive it in my email Wonder and Wonder have long been closely related in my life experience. I do my best wondering when I am wondering.
I would guess we all have a story to tell about at least one of our houses. My favorite, was a little Craftsman House. My wife and I rented in wynnewood Oklahoma. Short story is a carpenter built this house for his wife after hours and in secret. When it was completed after 2 years, he drove her in the driveway and handed her the keys as an anniversary present. When we moved in, the house was already over 50 years old but every corner in the house was square. And I believe the walls radiated real love.
Wonderous house and home story. More, more.
Tis been quite a walk through since early days of disturbance, now returning oonce again.
always justice seeking, and good home too
you and so many others needed a lean back day……
Good morning Roy. Wonderful letter. Y’all have led a life of faith, service and devotion to each other… a great example to aspire towards…..
Some folks never wander. Others have a very roundabout path that leads them to where they are now. We traveled during my grade school years. My dad and pap-pa were union asbestos workers. We followed the work. Settled in Arlington in ’70 and there for 29 years.. Then Socal for two, back to Texas for three, back to San Diego for 16, now central Oregon for five.. This trying yet wonderful journey produced 4 kids and 13 grandkids. All healthy and prospering. There have been times of darkness and then joyful light. This cycle will always be there.. We do our best, work on our faith, take care of our family and provide service to others.. Thanks again for sharing y’all’s journey.
Happy Sunday to all.
You have raised up the young ones in the rightful ways
And now you see the decisions and right living lived out in the best of ways
These are disturbing acts I did not think I would witness again, but I am, we are
Americans killing Americans
And rewarded for doing so bt those og evil and harm
I walk beside that stream while also speaking of hope and showing light in the darkness.
Good words and good acts by you
We continue on……
How grateful I am that you and Beth have each other and you recognize what a treasure she is. With the country falling apart around us you two have a constant that gives you peace. My Luna, next door neighbors dog who is my grand dog had a pulmonary embolism this week. She was quickly seen in the ER and after a two day sojourn was allowed to return home with 2 different meds and careful watching. Our animal friends mean so much to our well being. I have had several dogs but Lexi had my heart. Part of me left when she did. I know Jazz is still playing ball at 4 every day and that makes me smile.
Lexi and Luna life partners, as you are with each.
Pets shout out /you are not alone messages
And now, a bif lifr step for and with you…..with you all the way.
My newest posse is Violeta (whom you know and love), Brooks, and Shelton. Soon Rip Tide will join. Beamer went on to his service job in San Bernardino last week. He is peer support for the detectives and investigators in the DA’s office. A wonderful group of people. Me, a blessed person to experience these amazing pups who choose service. Love you and a big kiss to that Jazzie girl.
And a creative village you have gifted us (hard, dedicated training) in the support and caring others others.
Stars in the crown in all ways.
Your ongoing updates give me energy to continue3 and that is good.
Roy, I always look forward each week for your thoughtful directions of thought to be revealed. My first canine experience was as a child while learning to navigate the world as a neophyte. My world was most treacherous as a child on the street with a handful of candy. My caine was always at the ready when neighborhood “thugs” tried to relieve me of my sweet treasures. Of course we two were always victorious. Years later, I rescued a caine that had never experienced life outside of a cage. Well, we two immediately bonded and explored the world together. Currently, I am experiencing a spiritual connection with an exceptional canine that fills my life with joy and peace as we romp through the occasional snow or what ever catches our fancy. I have been fortunate to find my way through life by learning along the way through each encounter along the way. The path contains truth and stamina as the path is amended as needed. Connection with extronary life, extronary people, and extronary circumstances has helped make for an interesting journey.
No pet at this, but I had a Siamese Cat named Sweetface who brought me joy growing up. Just to sit and rub her fur calmed any fears I may have experienced.
I have lived my life thus far in this city which I am blessed to call home, having a roof over my head to protect me from the elements, a place to eat and sleep and a gathering place for family and friends.
I hope as a civil servant in this city I have made a difference serving communities to promote peace and safety.
Roy and Beth thanks for seeing all people with the eyes of GOD.
Roy, I always look forward each week for your thoughtful directions of thought to be revealed. My first canine experience was as a child while learning to navigate the world as a neophyte. My world was most treacherous as a child on the street with a handful of candy. My caine was always at the ready when neighborhood “thugs” tried to relieve me of my sweet treasures. Of course we two were always victorious. Years later, I rescued a caine that had never experienced life outside of a cage. Well, we two immediately bonded and explored the world together. Currently, I am experiencing a spiritual connection with an exceptional canine that fills my life with joy and peace as we romp through the occasional snow or what ever catches our fancy. I have been fortunate to find my way through life by learning along the way through each encounter along the way. The path contains truth and stamina as the path is amended as needed. Connection with extronary life, extronary people, and extronary circumstances has helped make for an interesting journey.