Hollis Baker’s Blog

Some wag once said, “God gives us our kinfolks, we can pick our friends.” Well it looks like you folks did well on both counts. Do you have a family? Most of us do and we are very thankful for that fact.
Families are the building blocks of civilization. Without the structures these blocks build, society would cease to exist.

You and I are fortunate to live in a time where we have a close association with our families. We have the means of having family in or going to see family, regardless of how far away they live. It has not always been that way.

John Webster came from Virginia in the 1830’s and fought in the Texas War of Independence. He was given land just west of here on the San Gabriel River for his services to Texas. In claiming his land, Webster encountered a band of Comanche Indians. He and all his men were killed, and his wife and children were taken captive. Mrs. Webster was able to escape, and carrying her 4-year-old daughter walked over 200 miles to San Antonio. The child grew up, married, had a family and built the village of Strickland, on her father’s land, on the banks of the North San Gabriel River. That is an example of how strong the family is.

Then more settlers came to this land walking, and in wagons loaded with homebuilding tools. They found the land fertile and well watered. With their families, they built the towns and villages of Central Texas, almost with their bare hands. Together they fought weather, Indians, and desperados. But the families held firm and made this land into a productive and safe place to live.

Our families are the building blocks of our society. As strong as these building blocks of family are, there is another ingredient. It is friends that make the mortar that binds the stones of family into a strong structure. It was neighbor friends that came in the dark of night when some dire sickness stalked the land. It was friends helping each other’s families that made it possible to build the houses, and build the barns. It was friends that came in time of plenty, and a time to celebrate that made life worthwhile.

And today, we celebrate our ease of life, knowing whatever we decide to try to accomplish, we have family and friends to lend a helping hand, and cheer us on.