My worlds collide this weekend

Saturday began in OKC at the State School Board Convention, an important time for our firm to show other schools what we have to offer. It was a good and fruitful event. Time will tell, but I believe that we laid the groundwork to "expand our boundaries".

In the afternoon Carol and I went to Tulsa for the 40th reunion of Garnett Church of Christ. It was a bittersweet event. We were members there from 1977 to 1991 and highly involved. I was the designer of their 3,500 seat auditorium. At its high point the church had a regular attendance of 1,200 and the place was full for big events about twice a year. It was a super charged church! Today, it has a membership of 400! They worship in the fellowship hall and have decreased the seating in the auditorium by several hundred seats! It is a text book study of what happens when great leadership is replaced by timid and frightened leadership. When the dream is lost it is a long road down. Saturday night, though, for about 3 hours 1980 existed again and about 700 people had a rocking good time of celebration. About 2 hours in, we left.

It was getting to me. It is hard to look back and see unfinished dreams.

Sunday, we went to the movies, then hug out with the grandsons (The triple A's). We then joined about eight good friends at the Paul Thorn Concert at the Cain's. For me - it was a very personal show. I stood about 8 feet from the stage and soaked it in. As you know I go to a lot of concerts. This one was for me was special. I am a big fan. Even though I am involved with the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, I have never been big on Autographs and photos with the stars (even though I could have many times). This night for some reason it was important to shake his hand and get his autograph and talk to him. (I did all three!)

You see I am a huge fan of Brad Paisley, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, and Todd Snider and more recently Zac Brown Band. I like their music, but I identify with Paul Thorn! His songs speak to me and my life. His songs show a guy who has accomplished a lot through adversity without leaving his roots and his faith behind in the process which is what I aspire to do. His road and my road are not the same but they run parallel a lot.

His gig in Tulsa was well attended and he will be back. AND SO WILL I!