Stories & Blogs

Roy’s Sunday Letter for May 10, 2026

MOTHER’S DAY 2026 Writing about mother’s is an opportunity as well as a challenge… Readers of the Sunday Letter may have experienced birth mothers, stepmothers, mothers-in-law or other family members who provided the role of mothers as best possible. Through our service at the Hope & Healing Place in Amarillo, we also know of mothers’…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for May 3, 2026

All About Goodness First Goodness: I had been dreading the clinic appointment with the Cardiologist. I had completed 3 recent heart tests and would hear test results and recommended next treatment…perhaps a Pacemaker or new medication. Instead, our MD explained my heart had a minor flow issue but were not health threatening. “See you in…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for April 26, 2026

About HOPE….How To Keep….Offer HOPE To Others Lately, as I have talked and listened to friends and family, I heard and felt their general despair. This despair seems to be from reports on the news, decisions being made by the unqualified, random acts of violence and harm to the innocent. I also heard and felt…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for April 19, 2026

Benefits of Letting the Old Man or Woman In Toby Keith wrote and recorded Don’t Let the Old Man In during his last months of treatment and eventual death from stomach cancer. There is a popular site offering T-shirts, hats, and bags with this message. I understand the resistance and push back of letting the…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for April 12, 2026

Paying Attention And Accepting My Limitations Beth, Peter, and I gather twice monthly to share writings and journals. We three also share of our individual lives. Beth and Peter encouraged me to allow a recent individual writing as the content of a Sunday Letter and thus I have done so this week. This Sunday Letter…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for April 5, 2026

This Easter weekend Beth & I walked our neighborhood block of 16 homes. Beth had prepared a gift bag for each neighbor with Zucchini bread, a card with her original art on the front and contact information. Both Jesus and Mr. Rogers spoke about neighbors. By knocking on 16 doors, we extended the hand of…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 29, 2026

Neighbors and Neighborhoods 2026 I am writing this week about the ways both neighbors and neighborhoods have changed, never to return to the days of images and memories of our experiences often reflected in a TV series or movie. Beth and I live on a traditional block of 16 homes. In my youth I grew-up…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 22, 2026

Being Safe, Prayers All Will Be Safe Where was your safe place as a child and later as a teen? Who were the individuals or groups who taught you about safety and provide you safety as a child…as a teen. Today, who are you teaching about safety and being free from harm? In what ways…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for Match 15, 2026

A Writing About Balancing The Quiet & The Noise A writer of people’s stories placed a recording microphone in a city park. His sign, asked a simple question, Who Inspired You? The resulting stories were of teachers, grandparents and the encouragement of others. I would add these similar signs: Who Gave You Comfort? Who Listened…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 8, 2026

Meaningful Insights of the Week This week’s Sunday Letter will highlight several insights, words and phrases I have read or heard this week. Friends and family members who give us support continue to change, shift as illness, relocations, death, and lifestyle preferences reshape our circle of relationships. Hopefully, we are adding and inviting new friends,…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 31,2024

** Today is Easter Sunday, as one writer said, “Three Days That Changed the World.” This week has been tragic: A school bus was hit by a concrete mixer causing a rollover with death and multiple injuries; Russians who came for an evening of music murdered; a cargo ship destroying a city’s lifeline and deaths…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 24, 2024

** A character in current Fiction read says, “I want to restore order and bring about harmony.” Our current elected “leaders” are loud and proud about restoring order at the Texas border. The grab for power and order results in disharmony, separation and division. If an elected official proclaimed harmony as their message what might…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 17, 2024

** March is National Women’s Month. Opel Lee’s, now 97 and grandmother of Juneteenth, has her portrait placed in National Gallery of the Smithsonian. Her portrait was prepared by Cedrick Huckaby, a Texas and nationally acclaimed artist. A high honor for women and Opel Lee. ** In my 1960’s younger days a popular song said…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 10, 2024

** Lanterns On the Trail, was held on Sunday, March 3rd. For a 1st time event, we placed 150+ Lanterns sacks to honor and remember each person we hold dear. Registrations were received from many who could not attend, coast to coast. A wonderful “Lady” Bagpipe player opened and closed this special time. Inside the…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 3,2024

** Today, from 5:00 to 6:30, Lanterns on the Trail, an event of remembering loved ones and those we honor will be held at Fort Worth’s newest conference and retreat center, The Keith House. Music, readings from wise women and men, lighted lantern sacks are all part of this first year event in support of…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for February 25, 2024

** Sunday afternoon, March 3, from 5:00 to 6:30 (come & go) you are invited to come by “Lanterns on the Trail,” an event to honor and remember those we hold dear. Lantern sacks, music (bag pipe, acoustic guitar, Native American flute), wisdom readings from diverse writers and cultures, and more. The Keith House is…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for February 18,2024

** Beth provided wonderful Valentines by creating individual cards for the elders (she often says… she is one also) art group she teaches each Wednesday, staff and volunteers at Project 4031, friends in our meditation group and mailings to friends both near and far. Each Valentine made with caring hands using materials collected over 35…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter fot February 11, 2024

** In a recent Fiction read, a man in his 60’s is asked. “Are you happy?” He did not directly answer but talked of a life of purpose, of achievements and fulfillment. The man was asked a second time, “Yes, all that is good, but are you happy?” I remembered Robert Green Ingersoll’s better answer….

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for February 4, 2024

** Brain research confirms handwriting with pen and paper engages the brain in positive ways a keyboard does not match the criteria. So, handwriting journals, notes, and letters are exercising your brain. Hallelujah, Write on! ** From CNN’s Good Stuff: “Resist the lie that violence and destruction are inevitable, that this way is the way…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for January 28, 2024

** Beth made creative and beautiful Valentine cards with a friend yesterday. My marvelous and beautiful Beth has been making Valentines with friends for 35 years. Her passion is a Blessing for me. Today, I want to reflect on BEING. On Being Fearful: Yes, there is danger in the shouting, yelling, blaming, and shaming of…

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