Roy’s Sunday Letter for September 6, 2026
Living Beyond Our Heroes
The recent deaths of Dolly Parton (80) and Wendell Berry (92) have given me a reflective pause and also inspired me to write about Heroes this Sunday.
Dolly gave of her talents, loving heart, and economy capacity to make life better for individuals, families, here in America and to international cultures and initiatives. Wendell was a life-long advocate for farmers, the environment and the importance of connections between all of us. Dolly’s music, movies, and achievements set and reset expectations of women in the workplace, family and as contributors to a happier more fulfilling society. Wendell’s earlier writing “A Mad Farmers Manifesto” challenged my generation to pay attention to crops, nourishing the land, and the ways we each depend on each other.
When I was young, my heroes came from western movies and that new box in the corner called television. There were fewer hero choices for young girls and even fewer if your skin color was black or brown. As I grew from teen to adult my heroes were shaped by the political, the racial, and the growing unrest within America. The violent deaths of heroes John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luthor King thrust me into a life of ministry and social services.
Who were your heroes of youth? Heroes as young adult? And heroes now in this life stage? Are there common traits between your differing heroes such as strength, courage, mistakes, wisdom, being there for others within family or civic or faith community? Over time, have your heroes broaden to diverse gender, race, cultural background and economic interests? My heroes, in each life stage, have encouraged me, pushing me into a wider more open world beyond my Texas background. This weekend, I have slowed down, given each hero time and emotional space to once again emerge and talk to the me of Now.
I thought who would I be without the heroes who taught me, showed me, kept me safe, allowed me to take risks and helped me move from one hero to another. Different heroes, different choices and outcomes. In summary, a different me.
Who were you a hero to when younger and now in your adult life? What have you learned from each relationship? In what ways have you brought these lessons into your life? If not, mentoring or being a hero today, would you consider making yourself available to be and do so?
A short list of my Heroes: Hop Along Cassidy, Thomas Merton, Anne Lamott, Joan Baez, and Jim Greene who gave me my first job when I was beyond young. Beth always my true, forever Hero, showing me kindness, courage, and going beyond herself for others.
Roy, grateful for heroes both then and now.
Heroes come in so many forms. My Mother was my first hero, left alone with three children to raise she made the best of a really bad situation and she soldiered on through life with a smile and a strong faith that gave her hope. When Jim died the entire Shrine community showed up and took over the day to day things that needed to be done, food, drinks, clean up and support. In our reality of living now anyone that shows up, asks to help, says they will pray or cover an errand, they are my hero’s. They are there when I am most vulnerable and continue to be there, heroes for sure.
You have been a steady on hero to hundred and hundreds through the Closet. A difference maker in all ways.
If a fire fighter you would have fought the wildfires
It is your heart your mother taught you.
We learn from you. Thank you for allowikng us to serve as a witness yo goodness.
RCB
Beautiful comment Maurine. Many of us, if we think deeply about it, counted our mothers our first heroes. Not until the last decade of her life did I really come to appreciate how many of my values and openness to different people came to me from her. Roy I appreciate that your list includes some ordinary people. Celebrities do have a platform for exemplifying important values. Dolly and Wendell certainly did that. But, the people present in our lives, they truly shape and guide us. Hats off to those teachers, ministers, friends, coaches, coworkers, and spouses that have helped us be better today than we were yesterday.
Yes in giving uplifting recognition to the q
Yes in giving recognition and support to those quietly doing thr right thing for others, volunteer to fight fires for weeks, who serve meals to a line of women and men too beat down by life.
Giving notice to hundreds of pastors preparing wise, humble words to those in the pews and chairs.
Good words shared and with Maurine also, one of my quiet heroes. RCB
Heroes, so many moments when they may surface to feed our soul. Those combined moments of connection help mold us into the spirit we are today. Perhaps a parent responds to my question as to why there in one designated “Colored” water fountain and why there is a “White” water fountain next to the “Colored” fountain. Folk song heroes who question why there is injustice, prejudice, hunger, slavery, dictatorship, homelessness etc. Bonding with teachers, coaches, pastors, friends, family, physicians, molds the humaness of our BEING. We might have a deficit of love and support and kindness and cherished friends and perhaps a deficit of good health and good mental well-being. We need to be heroes to one another and bond as heroes to one another. And perhaps we can find peace with one another.
WE 3 create peace when we are together, dogs included.
Water fountains, buses, and churches were a part of our young lives.
And now, the fat guy of no soul is showing us raw power.
We will over-come sings Seeeger.
Hang in. We will get to a true peace togethe.
Martin Luther King. Gloria, Dolly, Linda R, and Joan—-women who defined my culture and age in the 60s. The Dahl Lama. Your wife Beth, who saved my soul when it was crushed. And helped me understand that there was a way forward. YOU who mentored me and so many of us who needed a safe place to speak our truth, not judged but rather held in a place of compassion. Every single dog, horse and cat who has graced my life with their wisdom and humor and love.
Here’s to all, who have reached out and spoken.
And one of my heroes was the mad woman in the back row waving her hand.
We allow each other our strengths and also we are patient with our weaker parts.
You have indeed been raised by the pack growing up and swarming around you.
We learn and relearn together…….
Moving forward together, the only way
All those you named and more.
Call all the angels, all the heroes
RCB
Great thoughts Roy. My heroes, much like yours, also included a lot of sports figures like John Wooden. But of course, my number one hero was my wife Cheryl, who taught me by example that it was okay to be me, and not to be what someone else wanted me to be. Life changing for sure. Now that she has gone, I have found a hero of a different kind, and a love that I can truly mentor. In the last week this hero jumped into action. While getting a pedicure one of the other customers had a seizure. Terri jumped into action as no one in the store seemed to know what to do. After the fire department arrived Terri turned over the recovery to them and the lady was alive when they took her away. And just last Tuesday night we were eating on the patio on Lamar Street in Austin and heard a loud bang. A head-on collision very close to us. Again, Terri jumps into action and helps a severely injured passenger until the fire department arrived. Fortunately, no fatalities. It is very exciting to be a part of a life that is filled with passion to help the injured and wounded, and sick, and especially provide health care for those imprisoned. We are heroes to each other.
If I had Terri’s number I would have her on a hero for decades..
You and I learn best from others.
Wooden a hero for decades, a legend.
Good Comments!!