Clay in the Hands

I have often wondered what prompted early settlers to put down roots here in this area of west Texas.  Most days I would say it was the beautiful sunrises or sunsets.  Or maybe the magnificence of wide-open space.  But after a day like yesterday, I wonder if the wheels didn’t just come off of their wagons and they had no money to put them back on so they settled here.

We have been back in west Texas for going on 9 years now and yesterday ranked in the top 3 for the worst wind storms in that time frame.  We had winds in excess of 70 mph.  Limbs were falling out of trees, shingles were lifted from roofs and small animals were blowing down the street.  OK, that last one is a bit exaggerated.  But the point is that it was a windy day.

Now in many parts of the country, wind is annoying but it is not life-altering.  But in this area of west Texas, when the wind blows like it did yesterday, so does the dirt!   The street on which we live is about 350 yards long.  On a normal day, when I round the corner to turn onto our street, I can easily see the houses on the far end of the street.  But yesterday, as I returned from church, I turned onto our street and realized, I couldn’t even see half way down our street because of the blowing dirt.

As I pulled into the garage and shut the door, I asked myself, “Why do I live here?”

But as I thought about that question, I remembered the answer – its the people!  I have lived in a number of cities in Texas and in many different regions, but there is something special about west Texans.  They are a down to Earth, honest, hospitable sort.  Still to this day, a hand-shake will sign any deal for many folks.  They are generous and kind and for the most part, easy going.

I still don’t understand why those early settlers picked this place to make their homes, but it is clear to me why people stay!

So that is why we are living in west Texas and loving it (even after breathing dirt for a day).