My Influences:
Craig and Brenda High
Great Examples
You will not find two better examples of how human beings are supposed to behave.
The Highs came into my life in the usual way anything comes into my life - unusually.
In late 1999, Craig responded to an odd ad placed in the Austin Chronicle requesting interested parties to contact a very strange person about playing jug band music. Three people (I was one) responded and before very much time had passed, four of us sat together (for the first of many, mnay times to come) on the back porch of the High house.
Craig and Brenda were very thoughtful hosts and spared no kindness. I felt very welcome. We met many, many more times. (The Jug Band story is for another time, though.)
Craig and Brenda are two of the most beautiful souls to have ever walked this planet.
They have become brother and sister to me; in fact, I believe they would have it no other way.
Over the years, when others were at home for the holidays in other cities and states, visiting biological family, the Highs would insist that I join them for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
When trouble rears up in my life, Brenda and Craig have been the first to offer assistance and rather insistent that they be involved with solutions.
The list of their generosities and kindnesses is rather lengthy; trust me when I say, there aren't two kinder folks who exemplify how we should all treat each other and how we should behave in a constructive and functional society!
I will illustrate one very strong point: You might remember Alex* from this section; I wrote about him in August. The very, very wonderful people I mentioned who are raising this young man are, in fact, Brenda and Craig --- let's not forget Cole, their eldest son, who is also a very important part of this process!
Craig and Brenda, you are my brother and sister and I love you so very much!
It is a very, very deep honor to be a part of your lives. Thank you.
* Alex (August 9)
Hero
Influence and inspiration can come in all shapes and sizes. I'm not sure how or when that occurred to me but I'm glad it did.
Nearly eight years ago, I met someone who has become a great inspiration and a great influence on my life in all its aspects. In fact, I think of him as a hero.
My man, Alexander, has triumphed against all odds and has risen as a champion. I have watched him enjoy his childhood, learn from his mistakes and endure unfathomable horror and sadness.
I now watch him growing constructively under the love and guidance of some very, very wonderful people. He is blossoming into quite a spirited, good-hearted human being!
This young man has shown extreme strength and courage. He seemingly thumbs his nose at hardship and insistently defies the odds. And, he does it with good humor and a smile on his face. He laughs and plays through trouble and takes his licks knowing that he will come out on top.
I learned these lessons somewhere else. But, it's incredibly refreshing to get the reminder from a child when most adults have either forgotten the lesson entirely or just never learned it!
I am lucky (moreso than words can describe) to have such a champion in my life and so extraordinarily grateful for such a gift.
I may have pointed in a few directions for him throughout these years but it's Alex who has shown me the way.
Thanks, buddy!
I love you!
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"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."
~Davy Crockett
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