Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 20, 2024

** Positive news for Mother Earth. California will ban use of harmful plastic bags in 2026. Here is hoping the seals, sea turtles, birds of the air can avoid these deadly entanglements. Santa Fe banned plastic bags 10 yrs. ago. For all of us, no matter the state, bring your bags when shopping now, the trees and wildlife cannot wait for calendars. Replace bad habits with the Good and save our earth and all who crawl, swim, or fly.

  • Diann, CEO of Downtown Women’s Center, Amarillo, presented me with the now published daily devotional book that several of us wrote scripted, edited and checked biblical texts for 6 months. “Everyone Is Redeemable” begins each calendar month with an inspired writing by a current or graduated DWC client. Each calendar page has a wisdom writing then a supporting biblical text, January 1 – December 31, adaptable for any year. I was honored to share a writing/editing role, along Sharon, Hollis, Susan, Ann, Julie, Diann, and Jack. eBook $3.99 – Soft cover – $20.00.

** “There is a middle path, it goes toward the light. The light that goes blink, blink, blink inside your heart when you know what you’re doing is right for you.” from Brave Enough – Cheryl Strayed

  • There are several in person writer groups in Santa Fe, not so in the crowded calendars and 24-hour traffic of the DFW area. I have stumbled on a local weekly writers’ group meeting at Broadway Baptist Church. I will attend Wednesday at 5:30, say hello, find a chair, and look forward to learning together.

** My web site, royswritings.com, had to be renewed. Tim in Santa Fe helped me with links for Word Press as well as change the web host. With each key pressed my stress was that I would delete the site or lose documents. Tim will move the site after this week’s Sunday Letter. Is this “an old dog learning a new trick?” I think so but Tim is the hero!

  • On a neighborhood block there is a yard sign of Trump/Vance. On the same block there is a Harris/Walz sign. In the middle of the same block the yard sign reads “Love Your Neighbor.” I chuckle and smile as I pass by.

The Sacred & The Relational: Beth has encouraged me to include a personal sharing in the writing of each Sunday Letter. So here goes! David was a regular to attend the church men’s group I had recently joined. He was aided by his walker, entering the library carefully, finding a chair in the rear of the room, usually near to my chair. David’s comments and observation were insightful and added to our morning discussion. Based on our mutual appreciation, David invited me to his apartment so we could talk further. I met his wife and pet dog. We talked in their front room, near to a concert piano. I found out David and his wife were retired university faculty professors in voice and piano. David talked about his joy of playing recitals and was now planning his next recital. My thought and my awe were of an elder, with significant physical limitations, whose healthy self-image was as a performer of concerts. Within weeks of our visit David died. I treasure my opportunity to listen, learn, and be inspired by new friend.

Roy, Story teller

9 Comments

  1. Maurine on October 20, 2024 at 6:31 am

    I think the lesson from David is we should never stop reaching and enjoying life. He lived beyond his physical abilities to claim each day. As the election gets closer, tempers get shorter. Most of us have already decided who we will vote for so contentious rhetoric is not productive. Live and let live is my motto, different signs show this America is the home of freedom to believe however you want. I like “Love youtr neighbor” the best.

  2. Meg O'Brien on October 20, 2024 at 7:37 am

    Roy, your comments about David are timely. Today I am leading a memorial for a resident of my building. After years in a wheel chair he finally got the hip replacement he wanted for so long. He did all the necessary physical therapy and was finally walking without a walker or cane. After a few short weeks he tripped and something to his neck, dying a few weeks later. One message I was planning to convey was we should never stop having dreams. We never know v which day will be our last. Thanks for the tender accounting of your short-lived friendship.

    • Roy Bowen on October 20, 2024 at 9:38 am

      David, and all the other Davids and Marys, stay with us, either physically or memory image.
      You are the right person to tell your friend’s story.
      With warmth and courage……as you have been for me, and I for you…..RB

  3. Gerald C Rekow on October 20, 2024 at 2:45 pm

    At that point in my personal life I obviously do not present the picture of vibrancy, or the human who can handle most anything. Find people holding doors, asking if I need anything or divert themselves to help me handle a heavy box. Not that I feel differently inside or have lost the desire to challenge myself in a hobby or sport. I do hope that as my physical abilities decline, that I continue to be seen as a person with desires and purpose. Hurrah for David, for planning, even though he probably knew that his days were numbered.

    • Roy Bowen on October 21, 2024 at 7:19 am

      Yes, I was recently offered a chair by someone younger getting up as I entered.
      He was graciousby doing so.
      I hope I was gracious in my acceptance.
      I will send you a short writing about this shift of life by email today
      Always my best….Roy

  4. Tom Tortoreo on October 21, 2024 at 9:11 am

    The DWC’s “Everyone is Redeemable” is poignant and moving book that is a must read. Great insight and inspirational emotions permanent through this fantastic book. Personally we owe an extreme amount of gratitude to this fantastic organization. Diann has assembled an amazing staff and has created a thriving culture in which true change is happening. Thank you for sharing Roy!

    • Roy Bowen on October 22, 2024 at 8:26 am

      I was honored to be one of the writers and editors.
      Until I held the print book, I did not have an image of the significance of our efforts.
      Wow indeed.
      A gift book for several for Christmas…..
      Diann has staying power and a true leader……Roy

      • Thomas Tortoreo on October 22, 2024 at 9:33 am

        Fantastic Roy. I wrote the forward and that’s my daughter and I on the cover. It was a moving experience for all of us and we are so grateful for the. DWC…..

        • Roy Bowen on October 22, 2024 at 1:53 pm

          wow….the Forward slipped by me.
          THANK YOU for catching me uo.
          wow and wow indeed
          Roy

Leave a Comment