Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 12, 2025
WHO WOULD YOU INVITE TO YOUR TABLE?
A Netflix favorite is “Somebody Feed Phil.” This popular food and people show introduces the culture of food, chefs, and cities nationally and internationally. Each episode ends with Phil inviting 6 to 8 food guides and chefs of that episode to share and enjoy a table and meal together…always a delight.
For this Sunday Letter, I allowed my memory mind and note pad to drift in and out of the days of my life. I reflected my times as a youth, an adult, with Beth, places of work, community service, friendships new, renewed, and lost. Over two days my memory mind recorded 58 names and 12 significant places and offices.
Allowing your own memory mind to drift, to make notes…who are the faces, names, and places that had an impact, small or large, on your growing up, adult, and life today? Mrs. Adams, an elementary school Libarian, does not know how her encouragement to improve my reading level would someday result in my 2nd life as writer and published author. I encourage each of you to give yourself recall time, allow the memories to enter in their own way and time. How many names and places made it to your notepad? Is there a Mrs. Adams on your list? In what ways did each person on your memory list support you, bring you pleasure, help you to the next stage in your life? Here is only a partial list and how I am hopefully a better person from their words, hands on encouragement and being a presence in my life.
- Hollie – Baptist Student Union at TWC. Faith renewed between ping pong & Bible study
- Jim – Jim saw something in me I did not. First boss, first job, forever hero & true leader
- Rhonda – Board President, Family Support Services, Amarillo and my role as Executive Director
- Hope & Healing Place, Amarillo, founded by Beth & Tricia and where I was taught about Grief
- Jess Lord, TWC prof. after leaving the golf team I found “home” in my 1st Sociology class
- Marcia, Mike, & Roger were Score Mentors in Santa Fe. Board trainings, review grants, mentoring
- Mr. Thompson’s 1940-1950 neighborhood market. Charge tickets, showed Trust & Loyalty to all
- Beth – Life partner, chef, artist in residence, 5 houses, 5 dogs, editor of Sunday Letter, team leader
I hope the recall of those who are/were significant give you pleasure and gratitude for their gifts. Here’s to acknowledging their hearts and hands extended to you in special ways and the right time in your life.
Roy, thankful for 54 and more…
This will take some time. I will get back to you.
I am ready! To my Uncle Paul and Aunt Gert that took in a two year old child after my father died and raised me as their own child and were always present in my life. To my sister Margaret that took over caring for a 5 year old when our Mom went back to work to feed us and she was only 15. To Mrs. Whitehead my music teacher in high school that heard an untrained voice and said I can help her and she did all the way to a scholarship to Juilliard. To Betty my roommate in college that showed be that being a Christian was more about being a good person than fearing an eternity in Hell. To Lee, my ex-husband who gave me Leslee the best part of both of us and finally to Jim who was my stability for 27 years and made me believe I was a worthwhile person. I am certain there are many more but these few stand out. Such a blessing.
All good people and your retelling of their kindness well done and thank you.
We all are composed of those around us.
Each name a valued part of you, even now, as you are a part of Beth and I…..Roy
Roy, I am fortunate to have you as a friend and mentor in this life, thank you. I find each life experience a teacher/mentor moment for me to build on. Each teaching experience, whether positive or negative is a learning moment for me to learn from. Perhaps mentors appear when I needed to see a different perspective. Life has presented those opportunities for me. Mother nature has provided her spectacular beauty and magnificence for me to find travquil peace. I find the pets I have and have had in my life have connected to my soul. I have had both good and not so good encounters with the world. I have learned from each experience. And I do my best to share the goodness that I have encountered.
One of the blessings of our returning is finding a chair beside you on Tuesday mornings.
In the mix of health, pets, and news on this Monday read spoke to not forgetting laughter as a lifter of spirits and life balance.
Back to Dallas this week….We Both go with you.
We get lost, find ourselves together,,,,,,Roy