Don and Jill

“Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed.  Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave.”  “Thank you” by Ray Boltz

You know how new churches sometimes want to be contemporary, so they only sing “new” songs.  Celebration Community Church in Hays started out that way.  Our pastor only allowed one hymn every five years or so and I remember once we sang the classic lyrics of an old hymn to the music of “Gilligan’s Island”.  True story.  He was pretty determined to not have traditional ways of doing things, which was great.  But then we went and found our own traditional songs.  One of those was “Thank you” by Ray Boltz. 

We had a few different singers over the years, but we had a few who sort of became “ours”.  One of those was Jill Blurton.  She sang this song once a year and it sort of felt like home when she did.

The reason I want to talk about them is that Don and Jill are leaving our city in the middle of nowhere and moving to Texas.  Where in Texas you might ask, right in the middle of their grandchildren, wherever they go.  It won’t matter how big the moving truck is.  They will not have room to pack all of the love and support they have here. 

They met in high school in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, which is now famous for at least three people who lived there.  They have been married for 48 years and honestly, they are one couple I have always looked up to for how they are with each other. 

Don worked at a tire store in Hays for 44 years!  I know more than one man who went there for tires – not because of the brand or the name of the store, it was because it gave you a chance to talk to Don.  I don’t think he has any idea how people feel about him and he made that store owner a lot of money simply because people love Don. 

Jill taught school for over 35 years, it may be longer but at least 35.  I read to my daughters class every week and in one hour every week I am reminded why I could not be a teacher.  Our two daughters went to school here and I remember hoping they had her just for the influence and role she could have.  You want your daughters to grow up like Jill. 

Also, they have lived in the same house for the last 40 years.  In case you are not seeing a trend here, they stick with things.  Forty years of stability is not just lucky.  They both decided a long time ago to stay the course.  They love each other, but they also like each other and there is a definite difference in those two emotions.  They prefer each other’s company to anyone else’s and according to their daughter they do not have to be doing anything in particular. 

This post could be much longer describing the impact of four decades of life.  I will just say that I am proud to be their friend.  Enjoy Texas, you have earned it.  But if I ever see a picture of you with a Dallas Cowboy star I will fly there myself to remove it. Friends don't let friends.... 

Everyone ends up leaving a place that they love in their lifetime.  Not everyone loves life right where they are like Don and Jill, but you can choose to.  Do you?

Challenge:  I think Don and Jill figured out a long time ago that they may not have everything they want, but they decided to want everything they have.  Do you?

Thank you.  We are so glad you gave.

Mary and Rick Claiborn