A Fond, Yet Sad Farewell
To my precious, much loved San Saba family, I have spent 16 years of my life talking to you, living my life with you, sharing that life with you, and growing that life with you; and now, it is time for Harold and me to take what is left of our lives back to where they began. The gulf is calling us home, my loves, but there will never again be a gulf between us as each of you, like a shell in sand, have become embedded in my heart. If I listed the things San Saba has given me over the past 16 years, this would be the thickest issue of the News and Star ever published!
More and more people these days are seeking solace in communities away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, and as a writer who has had the experience, my advice would be to do it! Go for it not only for yourself, but your children, your future sanity, your health, perspective, growth, tolerance, education, and vision of what can be. I didn’t even realize how little I knew about living in Texas until I moved to San Saba, and I was born in the state!
I will never forget first moving here and taking a break from renovating the house at the doughnut shop when a local man, sitting at a table across from me leaned in and asked me in his thick country drawl, “Mind me asking what you are doin’ here?” Now I should remind you that my mom was British, cringed if we ever sounded Texan, backed down when confronted, or did not stand up for our right to be. I also leaned into my table and answered, “Oh, I don’t know, I just bought a house in town and as far as I know, this is still America, and I am allowed to live anywhere I want.” He and I became good friends, and he actually respected my red-headed spunk and independence. But at the moment, I was taken aback by his question. In addition, while shopping at the store, when it was still Super S, I saw a guy walk in with cowboy boots and spurs. And I asked the checker if he was a “real” cowboy, and she laughed and said, “Why yes, he works on a ranch, rides horses, works cattle and everything!” I felt like such an idiot for such an educated person, and yet I had never seen it other than at the Houston Rodeo which I considered a show and entertainment!
What I find amazing is San Saba gave me my most fulfilling work experiences, the very best jobs I have ever had. I spent many years here as a volunteer legal advocate for The Dove Project, the domestic violence shelter for women. Because of my role with them, I was also asked to help a large group of women and children displaced after hurricane Ike from the Houston area and became friends with Marsha Hardy. I also worked for Central Texas College running the education unit at the prison when it was an all-male facility, and it was likely the most rewarding job I ever had, even though it was the lowest paying. My darling San Saba loves, do not for a second doubt the significance of what I am saying because I am comparing volunteering and a low paying job with working at law firms in the Houston area and for an enormous national insurance company as a legal policy analyst. Yes, it matters a great deal and was a huge gift!
The most precious and lasting gift San Saba gave me is the Mc-Coury family, Mandy, Kristian, and Kelsea. For the past 16 years, I have called them my adopted family, but as I pack things up, I just call them family because that is what they are in my heart. In life, some say they will be there for you, and then there are the Mandy’s who are. I have watched all three grow, blossom, and become the most loving, caring, giving, and wonderful people, and it has been an absolute honor and joy to have shared my life with them.
I would be a liar if I said there is not a huge sadness in my heart in leaving you, in leaving San Saba. I will miss you, my loves! This is my last conversation with you. Now don’t jump for joy; I will probably hear you. There are only two traffic lights in town! From me, Patches, Herman, I want to thank you for everything, for all of it, for listening, for sharing your time, but mostly, we will always love you; thank you for playing, and thank you for being!