July One

Half 2026 is history. Gone. I hope I live a better life the second half. Not better for self but for others. 

The world is large; the world is small. From a short distance from my yard, one can’t see my lantana. Even when you stand near, you don’t see the completeness to the blooms. You have to lean in. You have to lean in to feel for others. If one builds up a shell around yourself, you’ll cease to feel. Lord, I don’t want to be a terrapin. Recently (5 days ago) a twenty year old girl carried her 6 week old baby and walked into the Arkansas River. Well, she told her grandmother that was her plan. Grandmother reported it and the policeman went to the River. Her car was there about 5 feet from the water. I felt the sadness. Many could possibly DID something. The search continues but they have not been found.

This morning a former student told me who the GREAT grandmother was. I taught her in one of my first classes. She was short and the sweetest girl. She developed diabetes and died young. The connection to that girl and baby made me feel more deeply. The world is large, but if you care it’s smaller. So many of us have shells. They shield from caring.🫶🏻