Jim Meagher
These are the dog dayz of summer. The period following the 4th of July until Labor Day, the last official holiday weekend of summer. I don’t know about you but with the defeat of the U. S. Soccer Team and the unrelenting heat, I’m ready for those Country Roads lyrics that John Denver left for us to sing and to celebrate our feelings of unity, joy, and delight during the World Cup before the debacle in Seattle. First we were singing about those roads and now we are “rowing” with the Norwegians and fans from all over the world. We are all ultimately one but most of the time don’t realize it.
Since the end of the extra toasty heat is not in sight as this Splash edition is published, I have a suggestion for all of us…support Matthews Crossing food Bank. How’s that for a transition? Let me at least attempt to make some sense of it. Using World Cup fans from all over the world and the experience they have had of American hospitality and our experience of people from all over the world right here in these zip codes that surround us in the East Valley as an example. Television news gave excellent coverage by capturing vivid examples of the welcome and hospitality shown to our international football/soccer fans. For example, the cattle ranchers in Texas who welcome all comers from every corner of the world to their ranching culture and lifestyle. They opened their homes and their hearts to fans who came thousands of miles to support their football team and country in World Cup competition. How does that compare to what we have seen on television and perhaps witness here under other conditions? We can join our fellow Americans who are ranchers by offering our brand of hospitality and solidarity right here and now. As they work to survive summer heat in spite of the many obstacles that keep their families and themselves hydrated and nourished. The experience of the World Cup shows us once again that we are all one family of people in spite of the socioeconomic differences that make it appear otherwise. I wish I could insert the modifier “happy” into that last sentence. How about you? We can do our part right here and now to change that. It starts with us.
We have an opportunity right now. Matthews Crossing will host their Second Annual Golf Outing again this year at Chandler’s beautiful San Marcos Resort on Sept. 14. It is their major fundraiser of the year. Please consider signing up for this fun scramble event and enjoy a day on the links while supporting this important cause. Please use the QR code to get the event details. Call or text me with any questions: Jim Meagher, 630-346-1966.