Two long-time friends — Sue Gressett and Gary Dyer — regularly post items that are informative, encouraging, clarifying and amusing on Facebook. When I see their items, I read them carefully, knowing I will be the better for it.
In recent days, Sue provided an account that invited “been there, done that” smiles. In this post, her “high road choice” shone through. Gary’s piece, however, revealed his delight in taking the high seas that have beckoned him and wife Teena dozens of times.
The accounts are unrelated, but taken together, allow me to reference high roads and high seas in the same column. …
To further identify, Sue, longtime elementary school teacher, was a friend during our five years in the presidency of Western Texas College in Snyder. Later, during 14 years at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, it was my privilege to bedeck Gary with honorary doctoral trappings during commencement exercises. Dr. Dyer was then pastor of Midland’s First Baptist Church.
Sue, remembered for her deep compassion, has long been known for her observations made “from the corner of Awesome and Bombdiggity.” Facebook provides a convenient outlet for her remarkable creativity and upbeat life views. Gary, longtime Baptist leader, provides enlightening and challenging biblical insights.
Let’s review their recent posts. Lady first. …
Sue’s high road experiences include a traffic violation of five years ago. Never had she seen red lights and sirens employed to bring her to a stop, but one did outside of Abilene. The “do right” guy was courteous and respectful, admitting that speed limit signs had recently changed. But, in the “here and now,” she was driving slightly above the posted speed limit.
She made sure he understood that she was a “law-abiding citizen” who had never received a traffic citation and praised him for doing his job. This was perhaps his undoing. He gave her a warning ticket instead of a citation for payment or a court appearance. The officer observed, “You can now cross another thing from your bucket list and brag to your friends that you beat the system!” Sue was greatly relieved, hoping that sons Tommy and Randy would never hear of her brush with the law.
Now at the age identical with the number of notes on a piano keyboard, she says, “My mind still thinks I’m 29, my humor suggests I’m 12, and my body mostly keeps asking if I’m sure I’m not dead yet. I don’t have a loose screw; it just fell out!” I look forward to her future posts from “the corner of Awesome and Bombdiggity.” …
Now, to Dr. Dyer’s high seas adventures on cruises taken over the years. They greatly prefer cruises to Alaska, having boarded vessels headed there 17 times. He has seen the upside, downside and sideways views of the Inside Passage, and compiled numerous helpful observations that not only help to economize, but also allows one to take full advantage of the cruise experience.
Interestingly — and most sentences beginning with this word aren’t—he has written a guide he claims to be for “cheapskates.” That’s my kind of guide. On his Facebook post, he offered to provide the guide via email to all folks requesting it, so if you’re planning a trip soon to Alaska, why not do so?
Brenda and I have taken Alaskan cruises twice, and agree with Gary that these are our favorites. I read his guide with interest, taking special note of the dumb questions asked, particularly by first-time cruisers. Dr. Dyer posted more than a dozen; limited space allows me to list a few. …
“Has this ship ever sunk? How do I know which pictures in the photo gallery are mine? What time does the midnight buffet start? Does the crew sleep on board? Is this island completely surrounded by water? Do the stairs go up or down?”
In all seriousness: Sue’s late husband, Don Gressett, was beloved by our daughter Jana in his sixth grade class. The Gressetts’ late son, Randy, was a favorite youth minister of our daughters.
Gary, a powerful minister now serving parttime at Rockwall First Baptist Church, is as respected as any cleric I’ve ever known.
