It’s All For a Good Cause

There’s this fairy awesome scene in the movie “Oklahoma!” (and yes, I sing that every time I spell it) where a community gets together to build a schoolhouse and raise money for it.

I always think of that scene when our little town gets together for a good cause.

Someone heads it up, everyone pitches in, there’s food and guns involved… It’s wonderful.

(picture taken at an auction/benefit for Austin Bushman)

That said: I’m normally not at a loss for words, especially as concerns Our Great Community, but there are some people, some experiences, some memories that just can’t be put into words. There’s a sort of reverence about them that makes the idea of attempting to assign words to them seem insufficient.

Speaking of old movies, I watched one last night. It was “Hondo” with John Wayne. When things in life start to get to me, I always end up curled up on the couch in my PJs with a comfort movie. Thanks to my Dad, John Wayne is one of my main comfort voices (along with the entire cast of Bonanza, including Hop Sing). Hondo Lane is part Cherokee, and he takes the opportunity in the movie to explain that in the Cherokee language, there’s certain words that don’t translate to English… the English language lacks the vocabulary to properly explain what one Cherokee word means.

I feel that way about my Dad.
I’ve sat down at least 5 times to write this post -tried composing it in my head a hundred times.

What it all comes down to is that I don’t know how to properly do this whole thing justice.

There’s no word that conveys my gratitude for what’s happening, and there’s no word that conveys the level of love and honor I hold for my Dad.

So I’ll simply say this:

I ought to be surprised at the enthusiasm in which Our Great Community has poured out their generous hearts for my Dad… but I’m not surprised because my Dad really is THAT awesome. He’s ever giving, ever steady, and ever ready to BE the one pouring out. I’ve always wanted nothing more than to give something back -ANYTHING back. But there was never a chance, I was never truly needed enough.
But now I am.

I love that so many others seem to feel the exact same way.

Dad’s benefit is going to be a GREAT experience, and I can’t wait to share it (and my Dad!) with you.

There will be a Zumbathon on October 25th at the Old Gym from 6-8 pm. Pay $10 at the door and then dance your heart out!
The next day (the 26th) there will be a dinner and program at the LDS cultural hall starting at 5:30. You really CAN’T miss out on this one because
1) The dinner will be enchiladas, and I don’t know but Joe City women can’t spit out the BEST enchiladas North of the Mexican border.
2) I will be debuting Docile Jean to the public.
3) If you don’t know who Docile Jean is, you need to. She’s very dear to my soul.

After dinner, there’s an auction at the Old Gym (where Dad used to play basketball in shorts that should have been at least 10 inches longer, but I digress) as well as a Bake Sale.
There’s going to be two Mel Bradshaw paintings up for auction, a head of beef, guns, goodies, and everything you could ever wish for to complete your Christmas shopping!
Deanne Smith headed this entire event up and here’s the information in her own words:
“Some of the things donated so far are event tickets (don’t know for sure for what but like for instance maybe Suns game tickets; chose of new lap top or computer; new house size steel wood stove; beef; guns; quilts; Mel Bradshaw’s donating 2 of his prints with Rich and Linda Miller framing them; a twisted rope halter; maybe a pickup or even 2; I have talked to some people about donating tickets to the National Finals Rodeo and it is looking good that we can get them. Got my fingers crossed! Anyway, tell everyone to keep the good things coming, the more the merrier. Email me at jdndsmith1@yahoo.com or call or text me at 928-587-1214 if you have something to donate. Thank you so much!!”

And here’s the facebook page for the event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/509264355832240/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar

Come out -it’s for more than a good cause… it’s for The Salt of the Earth.
In the meantime, while you wait for ALL of the excitement of the benefit… here’s a video to pacify you.  It’s of my baby.  putting her finger.  in her mouth.

It doesn’t get much more exciting than this, folks.  Serious.

Comments

  1. Love you. And I know exactly the feeling you’re talking about when it feels just nigh unto impossible to try to express something that, in so many ways, is simply overwhelming.
    My heart is full of gratitude on behalf of you and your amazing family.

  2. Alicia, I love it! And I agree, JC is the best little town for helping out…the BBQ’s, auctions…and now zumbathons! Doesn’t get much better. We’re so sad we can’t make it up. We got put in charge of our stakes service project this weekend. :( I’m sure there will be an amazing turnout. Hope your dad is on the mend!

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