Friday, April 25, 2008

Texas Our Texas

I recently encountered another Texan on a forum who declared, "I can't imagine living anywhere else than Texas."

As a native Texan myself, I remember thinking the same thing, but in fact, I have lived several places other than "God's gift to the earth" and have found it, if nowhere near as glorious, at least tolerable.

This was my reply to her:
The reasons are many why you can't imagine living anywhere else. The number one reason, if you are a native Texan, is that the greatness that is Texas is drilled into your brain from birth and only escalates as you advance from grade to grade in school...

A good Texas school will teach you

1) The Texas State Song ("Texas, Our Texas")
2) The State Bird (Mockingbird)
3) State flower (Bluebonnet)
4) How to dispose of a damaged Texas flag (you don't).
5) How to tell good BBQ brisket from bad (you can).
6) Texas was once its own country
7) That there still is a possiblity that we could secede from the union
etc., etc.,

You will be told the story of the Alamo and the capture of General Lopez De Santa Anna. You will shudder when you recall the battle song that Santa Anna's men played when they attacked: "Deguello" meaning "No Quarter."

You will praise the winter, curse the summer, be awed by a field of bluebonnets, remember fondly your childhood swimming hole, savor every drop of a cold Shiner beer and when in church (every Sunday) you will look towards the heavens (no matter what state you may be living in at the time) and declare with a strong and steady voice,

"Thank you God for making me a Texan!"


Amen.

No comments: