Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 26, 2025
THESE KEEP MY EYES FORWARD AND MY HEAD UP
This week’s Sunday Letter is about the individuals, causes, and life events that Inspire me. This Gives Comfort, and Teaches me what is important for my health, my joy, my marriage, and my experience of the Sacred.
Willie Nelson has communicated all of life’s emotions since breaking from the restrictions of traditional country western music in the 1960’s. Now at the elder age 92, Willie has moved to a stage chair due to the limitations of breath and the volume of speaking his words. His unique tone, Texas trill and the sparkle of his blue eyes continues to draw us in to pay attention to this man who has raised up generations and thankfully me.
- Texas Wesleyan College was founded in 1890 and became a university in 1989. As an alumnus, I marvel and applaud the achievements of the many women and men of my generation and their accomplishments. Because this university made a decision to remain in the place it began, different schools of learning were founded, and it became the center of a community in need of a solid institution. As an outcome, the community surrounding TWC, mission churches became communities and neighborhood resources unfolded. There are so many stories of learning and mentoring that have made a difference nationally and internationally. I am honored to be alumni of a brave, forward leaning TWC. Thanks for staying and embracing the Poly community in Fort Worth.
Playing For Change is an international combination of musicians and creators whose songs cross cultures, borders, and grouping of musicians. Since 2002, songs like “Stand BY Me or Everyday People” have come alive with messages of Hope. Oh, the joy of you/me not alone and real change can and will happen. Have fun, listen and see Hope in your world. Playing For Change is an easy search or YouTube.
- PBS/KERA continues to amaze. Whether animal, environmental, political, or current events, public television, in spite of the cancelling of major federal dollar awards, shows up on my screen. So, a strong Yes to PBS and your local station. Do you financially support PBS? If not before, this a needed time to begin.
My friend Steve Brown began a digital marketing business in Amarillo (roionline.com). I asked Steve to assess Sunday Letter’s reported ratio of Click to Open, combined CTOR ratio of 50.16. Mailer Lite tracks and reports my readership each week. Steve tells me my CTOR ratio is almost unheard of in a very good way. We agreed my readership has an interest in topics of inspiration and encouragement. The consistent one-page Sunday Letter for four years is something I do with great love each week. My gratitude and appreciation for all Sunday Letter readers.
I close this Sunday with the words of a quiet Bruce Springsteen song, “If I fall behind, wait for me.” His words so well message long-time marriages, partnerships, and friendships. Beth and I believe in and practice this commitment to each other and to you. Thank you, Bruce.
Roy, inspired and encouraged by everyday Kindness
Good morning Roy and thanks for this morning’s letter and the thoughts on those folks and items that inspire. I am grateful for your continued words and thoughts about service to others and encouragement and help we need to constantly provide to those around us. There are so many in need of contact and support. My journey with Betty continues Roy.. the caring and concern you promote and offer your readers continues to inspire this aging post hole digger.. Thank you.. Happy Sunday to all. md
I always pay attention to your words and thoughts.
You have your own path to inspire and encourage….thank you!!
All of goodness your way and Loo, and 4 kids too
RB
After a long night of tending to a sick dog that isn’t even mine, your Sunday letter was a real pick me up. Her parents are away for the weekend and I treat her just like my own pup so I have been vigilant about watching her every move. I am inspired each week by your care for others and your compassion for those that need a boost. Thank you Roy for brightening my day.
And you, dear friend, brighten our days and nights/.
Your spirit and heart od “a dog notmine” represents your true sacred self.
I hope better for dog and for you!
As we age there will be3 more and more caretaking by we all.
Always here for and with you, and those in SFe too,,,,,RB
Your words of wisdom today, Roy, inspire me to take a deep and appreciative look at the richness of the webs of loving connection in my life, in each of our lives. I also love the community of lovely people who comment on your letters. To
Roy and Beth and each of the people who comment, be well, be happy, love and be loved.
Forever friend Marcia….
I seem to have touched a new level of the creative….and enjoying the “growth spurt.”
I care about you in special, always ways. We “earned” that trust Wednesday by Wednesday.
RB
A nice collection of thoughts and words…of lasting the test of time and thankful Willie continues…of a university that remained when leaving would have been easy…of the beautiful things PBS does to make our world bigger ….of your remarkable ability to find new combinations of words for all of us!🙏🏼
All well written, all true
Your role as editor, improver, so important, and appreciated
We continue, together…..in love.
RB
This inspires me. X/O
LOVE DOES THAT
by Meister Eckhart
All day long a little burro labors, sometimes with heavy loads on her back and sometimes just with worries about things that bother only burros.
And worries, as we know, can be more exhausting than physical labor.
Once in a while a kind monk comes to her stable and brings a pear, but more than that, he looks into the burro’s eyes and touches her ears
and for a few seconds the burro is free and even seems to laugh, because love does that.
Love frees.© 2024
You introduced me to Willie first, before I played any music. I connected him to you from then on. Then PBS as a regular.. Connected. I have felt connected through your hero lists , hand written letters, accent, laughter, dogs, houses, curvy theology, writings, grandparents, golf, angles toward lived truth,marriage,
Journeys,decades,music, friends I know and don’t know, our similarities and differences, worship beyond the pulpit, your wide not blood family, shared mentor, and different shapes and shapers. Of course I have never learned from new data but second hand always learn from ,lean toward you. I always want to step into your homes(missed the last one New Mexico) ,overdue in so many ways like a lost book from the public library. Still deep friend forever…