Big

Judy. Back in the ‘70’s when I was in graduate school in Denver, my best friend was a Texan named Paula. Everything about Paula was big. Big woman, big heart, big talent, big dreams, big attitude, big smile. Definitely a woman living large. She taught me a lot about acceptance, tolerance, and drive. When she passed away a few years ago, I, as well as the huge number of friends and students who loved her, was devastated. 

Big Paula, little dog

Since we’ve arrived in San Antonio, Texas, I almost feel as though Paula were back. We’ve only been here two weeks, but I get the same sense of BIG. 

It isn’t really easy to describe exactly what gives me that feeling. We’ve experienced some cold and rain, so it’s not the big skies like we saw in Montana. Our duplex is small and cozy, so it’s not our home here.

But our welcome at church has been not just warm, but a sense of “Come on in!” Our friends who sent us to the rodeo with their own tickets did so with a sense of generosity and joy. The rodeo itself was BIG, with unabashed prayers and patriotism, and pride both in the young people involved, and in using proceeds for scholarships for Texas youth. The Alamo itself may be small, but the aura surrounding it is huge. 

Big Rodeo opening

Little Alamo, big heart

Our visit to the McNay Museum introduced us to the history of Marion McNay, an arts enthusiast who generously opened her huge home to art students, and collected works of emerging abstract artists. Even the bus drivers go out of their way to make us feel at home. 

The patio of the McNay home and museum with its big fountain

There is a strong sense, not only of place, but also of history here, as well as a progressive movement toward keeping the city relevant.

 

Big waterfall in the Japanese Garden

So far, our biggest excursions have been to the Japanese Garden, the Alamo, the Pearl (formerly a brewery, now an upscale condo and shops development along the Riverwalk), the Rodeo, and the McNay Museum. Weather is getting nicer, and we have so much more to explore—the Painted Churches, the downtown Riverwalk, and the Missions, among others. And I’m sure there’s more. 

Big fish along the Riverwalk near the Pearl

‘Cause it’s true. Everything is bigger in Texas.