A Miracle in Round Top

To the Editor:

In the middle of 2020’s political divisions, with a critically important national vote looming and isolated by COVID-19, there was a miracle going on in Round Top. I had been diagnosed with prostate cancer after three years of being clear. The next move was that I should undergo radiation therapy. During October and November, I was scheduled to be in Austin five days a week for forty days. My friend Julie wrote me a text saying in effect that she’d like to set up a carpool to drive me to Austin and back those forty days. My response was that she indeed was an answer to an unprayed prayer. Julie and Melissa set up an online signup sheet and within less than two weeks it had been completely filled and included standby drivers. I genuinely want to acknowledge these incredible people who drove me those forty days.

I will only give first names. I know who you are, you know who you are, and rest assured you have my heart felt gratitude. They are in the order that they drove me: Yvette, Jerry, Kai Jai, Russell, Carla, Kathy, Linda, Ann, Bob, Les, Melissa, Sally, Leslie, Linda, David, Susan, Jack, Michael, Harry, Jerry, Mary Lou, Bob and Virginia.

Some drove more than once, some multiple times. Some knew me well, and others maybe only in passing, I told the first few my story and when I no longer had the energy to talk, they told me theirs. I hardly know how to put into words the depth of my appreciation, and still am almost unbelieving at the human out pouring of care each of them showed me, our backgrounds all over the map, our life experiences all over the world, even our political leanings diverse. A word to those who drove me: I will never forget your kindness to me fully acknowledging that each of you is an answer to an unprayed prayer.

Nor would I, could I forget those of you who fed me: Yvette, Julie, Melissa, Kai Jai, Linda, Mark, Leslie, Cam, Jaquelyn, Charlotte, Ann, Toni, Louie, Diane and Ender. Gifts and cards from: My Bank, the Library, Tammi, Linda, Carla, Kai Jai, Mark, Suzanne, Jean, Pancho and Melissa. The daily texts from Melissa and Julie, you were the “Wind beneath my wings.” If I’ve left anyone out it’s due to faulty memory and not to lack of appreciation.

Love to you all.

Art Stokes

Round Top