Once a week I drive on highway 180 between Weatherford and Mineral Wells, Texas, on my way to see my father for a visit.  Along this stretch of road is a really BIG rock, on the west-bound side, that has been stood up on its edge.  (That doesn't especially sound like proper English, but at least it is descriptive.  Forgive me Mom.  Mom, rest her soul, was an English teacher.  I gave her quite a few opportunities to correct my sentence structure and use of the English language.)  But, I digress...

Over the past 20-25 years or so, it has been a pleasure to drive past this rock that's about 8 or 10 feet tall.  You see, often it is artfully and colorfully decorated with spray or other paint sources.  It serves as a sort of rock billboard.  I suppose the painting is done by family and friends of those who own the land on which the rock sits, though I don't know this as fact.  The painted messages have always been for things like a happy birthday, congratulations or other celebratory-type notes.  That is, until I drove by on the morning of November 22, 2008.

On that overcast and breezy morning, I happily anticipated the artistry of the rock.  As I was close enough to read the message, I was saddened and my heart was touched.  So much so, that I turned around at the next opportunity and went back to take a picture of the family rock billboard.

The rock's message read, "In Loving Memory Janakee  Don't Drink & Drive"

The family that had always shared happy times with passers-by, now unfortunately had a time of sadness to share.  In a few short words they conveyed to anyone who would read the rock - don't cause death by drinking and driving; be it your own or someone else's.

I'm hopeful that their heart-felt words make a difference in someone's life.

As I walked back to my car, ironically there was a beer bottle in the bar ditch. Don't get me wrong.  I'm not against anyone having an adult beverage and enjoying life as they wish.  Please just be responsible about it and read the rock!

In the early 80s, my husband's dad was killed when the car he was in was hit by a drunk driver.  Sometimes those things that "happen to someone else," remind us that there may be a time that we are "that someone else."  It's good to remember.  It increases compassion, which is certainly not a bad thing.

Take care and be safe this holiday season.

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Comments (1)

• |68.203.81.xxx |2009-05-03 08:42:31 Betty Roy Craig  - The message on the rock...
  Dear Cris,
  
  What a message! And, how thoughtful of you to take the picture. I hope you
  shared it with Sonny... and I know in my heart that you did.
  
  Love,
  
  Betty Roy

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