Community Blessings -- Past, Present, and Future #145
In lieu of holiday cards, thoughts for those to whom I'm connected. Legacy isn’t what we gain, but what we give. Our actions change other's lives. Give in return for blessings received from others.
Jack Browne, Wichita Falls Times Record News edition, Sunday December 14, 2025
Four thousand days ago, my wife and I drove into Wichita Falls, moving back to Texas after 14 years in California.
After decades in technology sales and traveling the world, I’d met tens of thousands of people —over 500 of them became true friends, the kind who connect families and share life’s highs and lows.
Starting over in a new city taught me something important: relationships don’t happen by accident. When we arrived, I set a goal to meet five new people every day. In retirement, I’ve scaled that back to two, but the principle remains. Working part-time in retail makes it easy, and every conversation reminds me how much human connection matters.
Earlier this month, I turned 71. My phone lit up with more than 100 birthday messages from friends near and far. It was humbling—and a little bittersweet. Over the past few years, I’ve kept a list of friends who’ve passed away. That list now tops 100 names, each representing someone who shaped who I am.
Life is precious. Friends even more so.
One customer recently shared an analogy that stuck with me: “Money is like friends”.
She continued, saying, “Think about the different values of coins and bills. A hundred-dollar bill? That’s a friend you treasure and hold close. Twenty-dollar bills? Important and useful, but not life-defining. Most people we meet are like ones and fives—passing through our lives briefly, leaving small but meaningful impressions.”
This season, I find myself reflecting on those relationships—past, present, and future.
Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol“ reminds us that life’s true legacy isn’t what we accumulate, but what we give.
That’s why I’ve decided to honor the memory of friends who’ve passed by doing more for others. It’s a simple way to say thank you for the impact they had on me.
Here’s the truth: most of us rush through life focused on our own needs. Meanwhile, people around us struggle—sometimes because of circumstances, sometimes because of choices.
What if we widened our view? What if we looked for small ways to help? Those actions can change lives.
I’ve seen it firsthand. I volunteer at Faith Mission when I can. A few months ago, I served lunch to a man in recovery. Later, I ran into him at work—he was on his way to his wedding. Last week, I saw him again. He’s excited for Christmas because he’ll see his three kids for the first time in ten years. He’s figuring out how to get them bicycles. That’s what hope looks like.
Others in our community give their time and talent to help students become the first in their families to attend college. Reviewing a scholarship application takes less than an hour—but it can open doors for generations.
Food banks need volunteers too. Donated groceries help families weather tough times, especially now when the economy feels windchilled for so many.
Some people are just one obstacle away from a good job—whether it’s transportation, childcare, or health. That’s why I’m proud to live in “the city that faith built.” Here, people show up for each other. And you can too.
Your time, treasure, talent, and testimony matter. Helping one person—even once—can change their day. With 150,000 people in our area, imagine the impact if each of us did something small. Volunteer. Mentor. Donate. Engage where you can, when you can. It all adds up.
As Tiny Tim says in the final line of “A Christmas Carol”: “God bless us, every one.”
May your holidays be filled with gratitude for friends—past, present, and future. And may you find joy in giving back.
To Tom, Pat, Paul, Blaine, my brother Charles and so many others—happy heavenly birthdays. Thank you for the gifts you shared with me in life.
PS, my son points out that Bob Cratchit’s pay of 15 shillings per week for a 60 hour workweek in 1843, translates to roughly $12 to $15 per hour in 2025!
Jack Browne is a community activist and former technology executive who believes in the power of connection and service.