March 2 – “Both days count”

I understand there is some discussion over whether Texas should celebrate its Independence Day on March 2^nd or March 3^rd.  From what I have read, it seems the delegates at Washington-on-the-Brazos approved the document on the 2^nd, but the signing process didn’t begin until the next day.  And even then, a lot of the delegates trickled in for the next few days to add their signatures.  Sounds very much Texan to me.  I don’t have the definitive answer.  Both days “count.”  But I would think if a celebration is involved … in Texas … why not fly the Texas flag both days, eat some barbeque, and maybe go to the rodeo.  That should pretty much cover it.

I know for us in Galveston, we never declared anything to anybody.  We just are.  Independent, I mean.  Oh, you didn’t realize that?  Then you haven’t lived on the Island for very long.  You see, we’re certainly nothing like people from north of the Red River.  And though similar in many ways, we are not exactly Texans.  Oh, we will allow the Texans to consider us part of their state.  I understand it helps them accumulate more dollars from the all-powerful federales.  We will even fly the Texas flag on the appropriate holidays.  We’ll fly them on both days, for that matter.  Like I said, a celebration is a celebration.   But there is just something about living on a barrier island that makes you a little … different.  Did I mention barrier island?  You understand that means we stand in the gap for the entire city of Houston when it comes to killer hurricanes.  And in the aftermath of the worst of them, we make our way back to our beloved pile of sand and start over, rebuilding with whatever scraps we have left, making ready for the next Big One.  It just takes an “even more so” kind of Texan to live in Galveston.  BOI’s (Born on the Island) or IBC’s (Islanders By Choice), it doesn’t matter.  You are something special. 

Psalms 11:4 says, “The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne.  He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.”

Father, thank you for the great people who surround me here on your little Island near Texas.  Keep them safe and draw them close to you.  Amen.