Roy’s Sunday Letter for Jun3 23, 2024
I am writing about fathers for a 3rd Sunday, as I have truly reflected on your comments. Many readers wrote about the teachings, love, and importance of fathers. I was also taken by readers comments about the missing of a father due to an early death, divorce, or addictions. This missing was supported by the positive role of a stepfather, grandfather, or uncle. Finally, the importance of a father’s return to a family as an outcome of counseling and/or AA support can be life changing. We are all here because of a father and a mother in this beautiful thing we call life.
** New Heights High School is a new Ft. Worth charter school with the purpose of assisting adults who have not completed high school and do not have their diploma. In addition to achieving high school graduation and their diploma, the staff will assist adults to identify and enroll in a vocational or continued education plan. Whatever the reasons or age, there will be future celebrations by adults, and their families, in completing and receiving their high school diploma. I like that it is never too late to learn.
- Dr. Opel Lee, now 97, witnessed a mob of white neighbors physically destroy and burn her family home to the ground on June 19th. The Lee family had recently moved to a new home in a white neighborhood. She was 12 years of age in 1939. This courageous family moved on, attempting to not allow this act of hatred determine their future. Opel Lee served Fort Worth’s children as teacher and counselor. The original lot remained vacant, now owned by Habitat for Humanity. Recently, Habitat, donors, and construction volunteers built a new home, on the original lot, for the now designated Mother of Juneteenth. What a wonderful and joyful ending for a family story that began in tragedy.
** A quotable posting on Facebook: “I don’t believe in higher walls. I believe in longer tables,” Chef Jose Andres, World Central Kitchen.
- This is exciting news! In 2024 women leaders hold the majority of education centers in the Tarrant County area. Dr. Emily Messer, Texas Wesleyan University, joins peers at UT – Arlington, Tarrant County College, UT – Health Science Center, and Tarleton State University. They were honored as “Women in Leadership” sponsored by a local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
** How do we each decide to reach out and say hello and invite a new person into our lives? Beth is far better in doing so than I. I did invite someone in our Thursday men’s group to share coffee. He has 50 years in banking and finance. My 50 years were in non-profit leadership. You might think we would have nothing in common. After the “how did you get to be you,” we were easily comfortable in common values and satisfaction of playing a part in helping people making it through challenges and then being successful. I write this to encourage each of us to not retreat in who we already know, or the safe faces and events. I write to push all of us to continue to stretch, to be open and refreshed by a different view and background.
Roy, stretching at gym and personally
Oh I needed your musings this morning. You and I are more alike than your sweet Beth. Reaching out is difficult for me so I tend to withdraw into myself. Because of you I plan to reach out to at least one new person this week. It may be just a smile or a handshake but I will succeed. Blessings.
“I don’t believe in higher walls. I believe in longer tables,” Chef Jose Andres, World Central Kitchen.
When we are in Washington, DC, as we were in April, we go to all of Chef Jose’s restaurants, each celebrating the cuisine of a different country. The neighborhood where we stay is “cluttered” with his genius and we are enamored with the quality and ingenuity of the food and service. There is a documentary about him and the World Central Kitchen, which is simply one of the most hope-filled, enlightened tales of commitment and goodness ever. You and Beth will enjoy it tremendously. Here, here! To longer tables.
You continue to teach me. I did not know of his DC restaurants. I will also seek the doc., another teaching from you.
I respond well to hope-filled. I respond well to individuals and groups making through challenges and barriers to wellness and health.
AND, I respond well to you dear friend.
Roy
Chef Andres needs to be nominated for a Nobel Peace award. Thank you, Roy for your wonderful Sunday letter. Great food for thought, feeling AND action!
We had couple friends in for afternoon Beth prepared Chef Andres type menu, Beth style.
4 hrs of conversation about aging, family, next steps, and even a dream or two.
He, like you, is a master acoustic player/yoga teacher.
BUT, he did not know of “Moses take your shoes off.”
I had the pleasure of doing showing the video….a delight for we 4.
You be special….always near by in the spirit of it all…..Roy
I see a father figure or a parent figure emerging from the “family of humanity” in instilling, directing and nurturing the souls of those in need of a lift of one’s spirit or emotional support as we venture through our world. Roy, thank you for your weekly thoughts.
Peter, your dad modeled right choices and path for your brother and you.
A tip of my cap to him for being and doing so.
You represent missing fathers in your years and decisions at probation.
We both value our ongoing sharings….which can and will continue north.
You be good peope, and dog ownwe as well. Roy
My father Roger Winship was a traveling salesman of large-scale pneumatic tools, and believed in teaching his daughters both how to use tools, and how to problem-solve with what you have. Now that I am starting a new nonprofit which involves many interesting new challenges, both mental and technical, and doing lots of things for the very first time—I find myself approaching a task or puzzle that seems either insurmountable, idiotic, or both, and asking “What would Roger do? Which makes me pause, strategize, and usually come up with both a better and a simpler (or at least, more physically manageable) solution. He is walking beside me on this journey, and I think my adventures would really make him chuckle.
Side note: my website’s not quite live yet, but close!
Shelley, delightful to receive your background and father teaching. You were paying attention and make current day applications.
There are also nonprofit sites that helpful board, fundraising, and leadership information.
One other suggestion. If you too close to a situation to see it clearly, perhaps take a step back and “see” it from the helicopter or big picture view.
Making a father chuckle is always a good thing…..Continue on in the best of ways………Roy
Thanks as always for a great Sunday message!
3 Sundays on fathers/dad. I had noy planned on that.
The comments from the missing of a father emotionally motivated the 3rd Sunday.
I received Comment from a past SF Score client. No Comments in 3 yrs, no email in 4.
“Fathers” kicked up a bit of memory dust.
Roy
Thanks Roy, Hope you had a great Birthday and Father’s Day!
You have been a great mentor to me and I appreciate you and your shared wisdom.
My Dad was in the Navy 22 years, he was at sea 17 yrs. I had a fantasy dad, I made him up in my head, in letters, and art.
He brought us gifts from a far and was so handsome and smart. We had our Christmas tree up all year until he came home, sometimes Christmas was again with him in summer. The tree was a hot mess being up so long, the cat would climb it and knock the whole thing over a million times. A perk, I am season less and timeless in celebration. Everyday is Christmas and my birthday. Celebrate life.
The real Dad and the “fantasy Dad” I made up didn’t match up. I didn’t realize that until I was grown.
The power of my inner child, she’s a winner!
Thanks for the insightful writings!
Lots of love!
Sue
Forever friend Sue………
I “missing father” element important so many. All kinds of reasons, now including “on duty.”
I understand the floating seasonal … doing what your family had to do.
New Topic: The courage you have shown in relocation is recognized by we 2 in the most powerful of ways.
We are connected and that is good. Roy