Editorial by Bobby Tingle

 

My son got married in Galveston on Saturday. The venue, Galveston Island Palms Outdoor Events and Parties, was nice and the people that run the center are too. We had as much fun with them as we did the wedding guests.

Having a wedding rehearsal, setting up for a wedding and enjoying a wedding at an outside venue in July in Galveston will certainly make you appreciate air conditioning.

I hope it is my last outdoor wedding in July.

As the groom’s father, my biggest responsibility was the rehearsal dinner. I am not sure if I enjoyed it more because it was indoors with a functional air conditioner or if the food and service at Salsa’s was actually that good.

I would recommend both the outdoor center and the restaurant if you have a need to eat or convene in Galveston. Just skip the hot months for the outdoor event.

After the wedding, I met the minister who conducted the ceremony. I don’t recall his name. He lives near Galveston and I assume he is retired. I believe he was a pastor for a fair number of years. As we chit chatted we began to talk about all that is swirling about us. The tragedy in Dallas where police officers lost their lives to a sniper was fresh on our minds. The tragedy in Nice, France had not yet occurred. Neither of us could come to any conclusion for a solution to the world’s problems.

There are many with opinions. Some make little sense to me. I can’t even comprehend how some opinions are formulated. But, I am sure that there are plenty who would say the same about mine.

The reality is we have no standard anymore. There is no basis for what is right and good.

We can all agree that being indoors in air conditioning in July in Galveston, Texas is our preference. At least, we can agree that it is more comfortable.

But on other matters, more weighty matters, we do not seem to be able to.

There is a story in the Old Testament about the nation of Israel being taken off into exile in a foreign land. They were taken from the ‘promised land’ where God had allowed them to live. In exile, he gave them some advice that goes something like this: He told them to continue marrying, giving in marriage and having children.

In other words, go on with life.

As bad as exile may seem, don’t stop living your life. Continue to follow the commands given to be fruitful and multiply.

So, in the midst of all that makes my heart ache, my son gets married. It is a good thing.

It is easy to see the events as reported by national news organizations in a detached way. But the reality is we are not detached from these events. The evil that compels a terrorist to action in France or Syria or Dallas exists right here.  There is a group that will be holding a Town Hall meeting 7 p.m. July 19 at St. Paul Baptist Church located on 14^th Street in Orange. I think that is a good thing as well.

 

Bobby Tingle is Publisher of The Orange Leader. You can reach him at bobby.tingle@orangeleader.com.