A REAL LOSS TO THE COMMUNITY

Hello, Blogger Pals!

Well, suffice it to say that it began raining here about 2 days ago... and it continues. The temperature is a bit cool, in the mid-40s, which makes it less-than-comfortable... but the rain is needed even here. It strikes me as funny that there has been discussion here about how DRY it is even though we had about 3 inches of rain just a number of days ago. The Austin gang knows what DRY really is!!! Can you say "drought?" Oh yes. I understand there has been rain there, too, and am hopeful it is helping relieve the dry spell!

Now then... the loss I refer to in the title is the death of a real gentleman and long-time member of law enforcement here in small town Louisiana. This gentleman was elected Sheriff of Beauregard Parish back in 1971... was the youngest Sheriff ever elected in the state... and became the longest-serving Sheriff in the state of Louisiana before retiring in June of 2008. He was a very amazing guy. I remember him from the time I was a young'un. He knew my parents and most all of my friends' parents and always had a smile with a twinkle in his eye for everyone. Folks just plain enjoyed being around him. He made you feel good about who you were. He felt strongly about providing direction for youth to keep them moving forward in a productive way. He put many programs in place that helped do just that. Finally, even as he knew there wasn't a lot of time left, he requested that donations to a fund designed to provide scholarships to benefit area youth be made for those wishing to provide memoriam. What a great guy. You always wish there were many more like him and frequently wish you yourself could meet the standard he set.

I hope you don't find this post sad or depressing. It really isn't supposed to be so. It is actually meant to be uplifting as I think it is terrific to have known this gentleman and it is wonderful to see the outpouring of love from so many folks here. The obituary is a literary achievement in itself. The local news station which is in the "big city" 50 miles south of here arrived with cameras to film good friends remembering this gentleman. How nice to be so well-thought-of and remembered. We should all be so lucky!!

Until next time...