big tex and us

Ok last Friday … we took a few hours off. We went to the State Fair of Texas. Both of us have not been in many years and honestly, I think we just wanted to get away from the phone for a few hours … even though I was caught several times giving bids and handling problems via cell phone. After spending $10 to park, $28 dollars to get in, and $40 on tickets … we were set. We took in the Auto buildings … even though I was disappointed. I remember as a young lad that they always had some kind of sci fi looking prototype cars of the future at the fair … this year … not so much. Just everyone car maker telling you their cars would run off of recylced horse poop and corn. We got a corn bog at Fletchers … that took 23 tickets. We got our pic with Big Tex … that was a small miracle in itself … the sun was at high noon, our height difference itself is hard enough to take a selfie … but then trying to get the Big Guy in the shot … this pic was awesome.

Down the Midway … I kept looking for the bearded lady and the worlds smallest man … but Lori kept telling me that it was not PC to have those attractions anymore. Again, dissapointed. I have to tell you  … the Fair has really cleaned up since we remember. I looks a lot like Six Flags now. Hmmm, smart thinking on someones part. The rides still look very dangerous and the carnival workers … well, they look the same too. Thank God! Something familiar!

Back down the Midway … pausing at the Cotton Bowl entrance to take a picture only one day prior to the Texas beat down of OU … again, thank you Jesus. A stroll through the Women’s museum … a funnel cake on a shaded bench … and we were done. It was quick … but I had responsibilities backat Pilot Point. It was abbreviated fun.

>> wg

 

the road is long

I’ve loved this song for years … some might think it corny, but for me it’s been somewhat of a silent mantra. Many can probably remember the first verse of “he ain’t heavy” … but the second verse really carries a thought of deep responsibility … So on we go / His welfare is my concern / No burden is he to bear / We’ll get there / For I know / He would not encumber me / He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.

I was watching one of those newsy programs last week on tv. There was a story about a young woman who was kidnapped by a man she did not know … who lived only blocks from her home. The account of what happened to her was unbelievable. The first stop that this man made was to his cousin’s house to borrow some gasoline and a shovel. The cousin came outside to see this young woman in the back of the car, bound, screaming for help, trying her best to get someone’s attention. The cousin never questioned what was happening and never called police. On the man drove … three people with cell phones witness this woman in the back of this car pounding on the windows and hearing her screams choose not to make a call. One woman does make a call to 911 … she gets the color of the car wrong and tells the 911 operator that it is a child screaming … the 911 operators fail to dispatch a police cruiser. 10 minutes later … the woman is dead, covered in a shallow grave, only yards from the last time the lady called 911.

I sat there with my mouth open asking, how could this have happened? Two of the men who witnessed it in their cars … now broken with guilt commented … I just didn’t want to get involved. This is a tragic example of how we all become so self consumed that we can not stop our busyness and help others.

The road is long … with lots of twists and turns … lots of places for people to trip up, stumble, and fall. I want to be one that helps. I certainly can’t help everyone … but the one’s that come in my “road” … may have a chance.

wog <<