I had a late dinner meeting last night and thereafter tried to squeeze in a little shut-eye before I hit that, six hour, long stretch of highway home. At 3:30 a.m. the alarm clock goes off, man do I want to hug that pillow a little longer. My conscience won't let me sleep, as I know on this day I have a very special mission from the Almighty. "Head home, head home," a nagging voice in my head tells me, refusing to allow me to sleep.
You see little Susie Palacios, that sweet little angel that sang the Star Spangled Banner at a recent community function in my hometown wants me to be there when she gets recognized by our local ABC television station (Newschannel 5) for being a "Kid You Should Know." She is getting profiled for being a top-notch student. I gave my word to little Susie that I would be there, and I was not about to let her down.Not only is Susie a pure heart with a great little voice, that could melt even the coldest heart of the cruelest man alive, but she is also a great inspiration. Little Susie is a great student that excels and inspires despite having a disability that affects her vision. All I know is that the spirit of this little child has so inspired me that I'm driving six hours in one direction only to return on another six hour drive in order to make tomorrow's vote on the cigarette tax.
Still awake I drive into town at 8:30 a.m. and I've got to meet little Susie at 10:15. As I pass the KURV radio station on the north side of town, I get a phone call to my Austin office that the radio talk show host, Davis Rankin, wants to know if I can do an on air interview on what transpired on the tax bill. (I know I wasn't dreaming because good ol' Shaine Mata was apparently listening in.) I tell Davis that I will do so only on the condition he gets me off by 10:00. I tell him why and like any other Dad, he makes it happen. You see I know that God was steering this mission, not only because I remained awake but because no sooner had Davis agreed, that I made a simple right turn into the station for the interview.
Like always, Davis asked the right questions and I really enjoyed the give and take. But no sooner did the clock strike 10:00 a.m. that I excused myself to fulfill my promise to God's littlest angel in the City of Edinburg.
It's 10:15 and I'm here at her elementary school (Freddy Gonzalez Elementary). She gives me a hug and thanks me for coming. She sings the Star Spangled Banner for me and the others who, like me, are there because of the inspiration of this wonderful child.
I gave thanks to God when I said goodbye to little Susie. There truly is no greater gift than what we have in our beautiful children. I'm driving back to Austin today a stronger man than when I left -- on this day I am reminded of what we are fighting for at the state capitol. It's for little Susie and the thousands of children like her. God bless our little angel. Congratulations sweetheart.
6 comments:
You big lug, thats why we love you rep.
Your a great man. Every child needs a hug. That is whats missing in are world today. Makes me think, we sit here reading these blogs some of them good others are just trash, degrading our city instead of writing about things that are important to kids like Susie. Good job Rep. She will remember that forever.
You picked a good one rep!
To the commentor whose post I recently deleted, anonymous posts are a privilege that I don't want to see lost on this site. Please refrain from using obscene language or such posts will be deleted.
For the record, there was nothing obscene in my post. I simply wondered where you were on the House Floor on Thrusday, April 27 for the vote on HB 5. The Monitor has you voting NO on HB 5 but I didn't see you there.
My desk is on the northern part of the floor towards the front. You can otherwise make an appointment at my capitol office if you need to see me on my votes. Listen, your obsence posts will be deleted. Please be constructive and curb your language in the future.
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