September 12 – “Good ol’ Ralph”

Good ol’ Ralph Vaughan got some more mail here yesterday.  He does received mail off and on here.  Not at all sure who he is, but we always enjoy the “Resident-type” mail he generates.  This one was a neighborhood survey about … drumroll here … cremation services from the National Cremation Service.  Didn’t know there was such a thing.  It does exist, apparently.  Even has its own website.  Not sure of Ralph is particularly interested at this time.  I’ll file it with the rest of his mail.

Yesterday was somewhat eventful in its own right (even without Ralph).  We woke up to one of the strongest thunderstorms we have had in a long time.  The wind was blowing so hard at one point that I had to put away the umbrella.  It was knocking me over.  That was when I was on my way to the first responders’ breakfast at Austin Middle School.  Nathan and Cailyn came as well.  Kind of his last “public” duty while wearing his fire department uniform.  The food was really good.  Breakfast burritos from Bronco Burritos.  I just ate half of one and was full until well after lunch time.  The kids had a little program they put on.  They started with a homemade video of each the classes in the school telling the first responders “thank you for your service.”  Then one of the students presented one of the best speeches I have ever heard from someone so young.  She was articulate (although soft-spoken).  Her thoughts flowed smoothly, and certainly kept my attention.  She closed with a photo of her brother, who had just had an emergency room experience.  She thanked the first responders for their help in taking care of her little brother.  Very sweet.  I was proud of the twelve or fifteen fire fighters who were there for the festivities.  Good showing, guys. 

Last night we made our way into Texas.  We actually had Astros tickets.  First time this year.  They honored first responders and had a memorial for 9-11.  Somber and impressive.  The seats were really good ones.  Off the left field line.  Field box.  Behind the new netting.  Right on the aisle.  That was good and bad.  The good part was the extra leg room.  The “bad” was the issue with people leaving and returning to the concession stand.  Whenever they walked by our view was blocked.  I didn’t really care, though.  It was the best of both worlds.  Astros baseball and people watching.  Nice.  Well, it would have been nicer if the Astros had won.  Oh, and I just thought of another “bad.”  They don’t sell frozen lemonade anymore.  Minute Maid Park doesn’t sell frozen lemonade cups.  What is this world coming to?  But I have to end on a “good.”  I found a new little buddy.  First time I have ever seen a stuffed animal so perfectly representative of a site visit.  Little Orbit doll.  Very cute.

Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Father, thanks for the kids who put together that program yesterday.  and thanks for the first responders they honored.  Keep both groups safe as they go about their business today.  Amen.