Travis Walker Gerron

Click his name above to view his obituary.

T.W. to me embodied being a man. He lived with a work ethic and integrity that was above reproach and stood as a testament to who he was deep down inside in spite of his trials and dejection. He faced more stumbling blocks and tests in his brief life than most face in a life three times as long. T.W. faced these situations and survived them because of the strength of his character and because God knew he could. God’s faith in T.W. was much greater than T.W.’s faith in himself or his faith in God.

T.W. was an isolated man with a deep soul and perspective within. Only a few may even have known or understood the depth of someone as personal and solitary as T.W.

I first met T.W. when we were in first grade at Lubbock-Cooper Elementary. He was new to our school and happened to get put in my class with Ms. Salinas. I was in need of a friend because my best friends at the time Raymond and Dustin were in other first grade classrooms and I was lonely. We shared birthdays in June, loved baseball, and enjoyed playing outside. I thought he was cool because he had red hair and more freckles than I did. I also found out the first time he spent the night with me that he had a great laugh and was surprisingly more ticklish than I was (thanks Mom). Our friendship was strong and growing for many years. My young life with T.W. included playing with and against him in sports, taking family vacations, spending the night over at each others houses and so on. We had a lot in common when we were young and he will always remain a vivid part of my childhood memories. I will always remember how well his home smelled and how clean Sandy and the family kept things. And, who could forget the moon wall in his bedroom and the fact that his sister Allison (who all his friends thought was way hot) shared a bathroom with him.

I recall one night that Dustin and I both spent the night at T.W.’s house and we decided to read the bible together and pray for each other. It was sometime in Jr. High because I remember discussing our fears of High School coming, getting picked on by the older guys in athletics, and realizing we really liked girls and did not fully understand these feelings. We were all involved in FCA together and felt it would be beneficial to have the Lord help us deal with our current issues. Unfortunately for me that is the last deep and meaningful conversation I recall with T.W. We remained really good friends into High School but began developing some differing interests. The pressures of High School were overwhelming to me in the beginning and I knew they were to T.W. as well. After his parents divorced T.W. was just distant enough emotionally that I did not feel comfortable reaching out like I wish I could have. I could tell through our continued friendship throughout High School that he had really changed and dealt with it hard but also knew how private he was and seemed to want to keep it that way. After High School we completely went separate ways and never had the chance to speak or see each other again until Carrie Beard’s wedding. I noticed T.W. standing in the back all alone fresh into the Marines. Those of us that still saw each other and missed T.W.’s friendship immediately went up to him to say hello. To me the opportunity was one of the best parts of this wedding. It was apparent from his brief conversations and lack of emotion he was very different from even a couple of years ago when we graduated. Never the less, I will always remember what a great leader he was and how his convictions and strength were expressed through gentle yet firm and resolute actions. Like the time he quit the football team the day of pictures after grueling two-a-days because the coaches told him to cut his hair and he wouldn’t. I have an everlasting memory of us standing on those risers waiting to have our team picture taken and seeing part of our team’s soul ride off into the sunset on his Harley. Yes, he was the cool guy with a Harley in High School. I was mad at him that day and told him so but was also impressed with his willingness to stand up for his rights and choices and act decisively. We needed him on the team as nobody covered the corner as well as he could but that was the way he rolled.

I will never understand the depth of his inward life or the feelings that he never shared. I have prayed for him off and on since that night at his house in Jr. High. I continue to thank God that he ever gave me a friend like T.W. at any spot in my life. In spite of T.W.’s tough exterior he was a gentle and sensitive person that faced more life struggles than I can even imagine. Though grace, faith and control might not always describe his responses to his struggles who among us can claim that any of us have reacted any better. God knew T.W. was strong enough to handle more pain and suffering than most can imagine. Perhaps he responded in a way he knew would allow him to survive and God was there every step of the way. Only T.W. knows at this point as he rests in the grace and unending mercy of his Heavenly Father. I believe that T.W. possessed great faith and connection to God because of who he was and because God is faithful. Though on the outside some may question bad behavior or poor choices; I will always remember that night I saw a young and faithful T.W. lead his friends in prayer and generate a connection to God that is never severed.

Though my fond memories remain my heart tonight is broken. There are many other stories and feeling to share but I feel like I have said enough to finally go to sleep. On Thursday August 28^th we will lay his body to rest but his life will continue in his boys, the wife and family he leaves behind and those of us few fortunate souls that will carry a piece of his legacy in our minds from now to the day we join him on the other side.

His motorcycle ride is not over it is only continuing in a better place.

The proof is in the burger

If anyone is tired of me talking about the worth of Dave Ramsey's financial strategies you should stop reading RIGHT NOW!...


...Okay, you have been warned.

One of Dave's cornerstones is the cash envelope system. He even has even manufactured his own wallet you can purchase on his website that features the amenities of a normal wallet blended with the power of the cash envelope system. I must admit out of all the life altering things Dave Ramsey asked me to do when I "saw the light", paying cash for most regular purchases and keeping a lot of cash on hand in little envelopes was the least likely to get my endorsement. For my entire adult life I despised having cash because I use to tell myself that it went to fast and did not know where it all went to when it was gone. However, the truth is that I did not want to admit the power using cash to purchase things truly has. A dollar is a lot more personal and real when handing over to buy something than a debit card. The enemy for years lead me to believe that I had the right mindset with regards to cash. Boy was I wrong as the following story will illustrate. To set the stage Kelli and I have been using the cash envelope system since July of 2006 and we are still discovering the strengths and merit to this age old practice.

It was the Saturday night before Mother's Day and Momma (Kelli) was craving a burger and onion rings. We had exactly $23 left in our dining and entertainment envelope that was supposed to last us until the coming Friday. Kelli was thinking where she wanted to go and could only come up with Red Robin. The old David and Kelli would have sighed and said, "let's go." However, the new and improved David and Kelli said, "I am not sure we have enough for it." Therefore we went to Red Robin's website and investigated their online menu for our location (we would have never done this prior to using cash and knowing where we stood midway through the month). We calculated up what we would like would cost and it was around $30 before gratuity and taxes. We only had $23! Therefore, we started to make concessions such as splitting onion rings, drinking only water, and even splitting a burger! Then we remembered thought of alternatives. Several people had suggested a local burger joint named Patrick's to us and I even know the guy whose in-laws own it. We have lived here almost 4 years and never tried it. Thus, we decided to stay within budget and go to Patrick's. We each got a burger, a basket of onion rings, and another of fries, and 2 sodas. We even got drew a hot dog which came with another basket of fries and drink. Guess how much we paid? $13!!!!!!! We did not even finish all of the food. Granted they do not serve on plates or have fancy televisions in the floor, but who gives a flip? If we had placed the same order at Red Robin the bill would have exceeded $40 with gratuity and tax. I'm not kidding, I did the math.

There you have it. My Dave Ramsey cash envelope budget system testimonial. This is the first one I have blogged about but we literally have stories such as this every month. It has changed our marriage and our life for the better. Please share our burger story with others that they might see the value in knowing where their money goes and how to better control it. I forgot to even mention that the burgers were really good. Not too greasy but not too dry and the onion rings were great too. Kelli's belly was satisfied and our envelope was relieved to have money still in it for another outing later this month.

Confession

I have a confession to make. I am a poor communicator. I communicate very well face to face, but when it comes to phone, email, BLOGGING, and the like I am absolutely horrible.

Do you ever get those forwards where your friends answer questions about themselves and then send it to a bunch of other people that might be interested? Well I do and I am usually the answer to the question, "who is least likely to answer these questions and return it to you?"

Realizing my deficiencies I will still NOT promise any improvements or elude to any grand attempts to get better as I simply do not know how it will go. Even as I am typing this blog I think, "nobody will read this because nobody visits your blog anymore because you never post anything, idiot." Therefore, if you are reading this by some chance that you happened upon my blog please comment to let me know someone wants to hear from me. I actually like writing and love the idea of journaling. I just lack the discipline at this point.

There you have it. My confession is over and my blogging/communication sins are forgiven.

Maybe you will hear more from me and maybe you won't. I am not sure. I just know that my lack of return communication or proactive communication in no way represents the way I feel about my friends and fmaily members. If you want to know how much I love you know where to come get some love...face to face.

The Davis' go to Lubbock

The Davis family loves the Red Raiders of Texas Tech. Drew nearly saw his first game in Lubbock on Saturday but it was past his bedtime. All was for the best as we lost our first home game since 2004. Next time Drew makes it to the a game Coach Leach better have the team's guns up!

My new favorite picture.

I have many pictures these days...I wonder why? I often latch on to one and stare at it endlessly. Now I am sharing with you my current fave. Enjoy and try not to stare like I do.

IIIIIIIIII'm baaaack!

Really I was never gone so I can't be back. However, I am really bad at overcommiting. That is why my blogging desires never took off. Nevertheless, I am feeling less burdened by commitments and more like being an active blogger. I doubt I will ever have anything truly meaningful to say that anyone would want to read; yet I feel compelled to relate to my fellow "men" (& women) in this way. Ciao.