SCENE IN PASSING
As this new year rolls down the track, we wonder about the future of the Texas State Railroad . We who serve under the umbrella of care and love continue to pursue a plan that can be considered if it becomes necessary. We have four entities expressing an interest in our train's operation. Our work calls for paring the list to one. The fly in the ointment jar is this. The six members of the Texas State Railroad Operating Agency and the interested operators can go just so far until a decision is made by the 80th Legislature. And those who have observed the process in time past are aware that their decision may conceivably come near the end of the session in late May. Within the next week to 10 days, we hope to have narrowed our list of interested operators to one. But even then, nothing is final until the Legislature makes its decision. Thank you for keeping your interest, hope and prayers of support with us.

Let me also thank those who continue to keep me posted with information useful to filling this space each week. I am grateful to Elmer Kennedy who brought in a huge clipping from the Nacogdoches Sentinel. It is the kind of story we all like. "Home town boy is recognized." Ray Spivey, a Rusk High graduate, was saluted for his 50 years' service to the funeral home business. Some will remember him and his dad, Lonnie, as a staff member of the Rusk Post Office and a well-known coon hunter.

The writer of the Sentinel story is Emily Taravella. Here are her opening paragraphs:

"With his wisecracking ways, upbeat personality and trademark smile, Ray Spivey has spent the past 50 years making folks laugh--an extraordinary attribute for an undertaker.

"Spivey seems to make the wife, 'so she could go shopping when she got to heaven.' At the last minute the man took back the $20. He decided he needed it worse than she did."

"Perhaps it is his joyful approach to life that has kept him going all these years in a line of work that others might find sad or depressing. When it comes to death, Spivey said, 'There's not a thing that you or I can do about it.' Spivey focuses on the families who are grieving. 'You don't have to say anything. Your presence is what means the most to them.' That compassionate, loving heart has earned Spivey quite a reputation."

The Nacogdoches newspaper's feature was much longer and very readable and enjoyable. It makes all of us who knew Mr. Spivey and family feel proud to share in his tribute.

Just some of that era's classmates with Mr. Spivey include our contributing friend, Elmer Kennedy, Robert Grogan, Dolores Bryson, Mary Ann Tosh, Ann McCarroll, Bryan Guinn, Travis Roten and Jim Perkins. Now that's just a few of the outstanding students who shared life at good ole' Rusk High.

As time goes by, it is warming and comforting to witness

decided

might families

who their return to this area. Their roots are my roots, and with them, we all understand that love runs deep for that place called "home."

Thanks to an anonymous source, we offer happy birthday greetings this week to Joe Mack Lanier. He is known for his piano playing ability and will probably play his own song for his 90th celebration. Mr. Lanier was a familiar face for many years to the RISD students who rode his bus to school each day. Everybody loved Mr. Lanier. He was always smiling and happy - like he had a song in his heart. And he does. He still visits nursing homes and plays for their residents. He is living proof that life can be great and good in spite of the birthday build-up. (That has become the new disease diagnosis, TMBD, translated as Too Many Birth Days.) But not for Mr. Lanier.

"Too old to soon, too late too smart," a philosopher once wrote. Think about it and enjoy our closing thought: "We can look ahead with hope and satisfaction. We can look ahead with fear and behind with regret. But we must never do either so much that we miss today." This day, you are wished the happiest, best possible day of your life. Keep smiling.