Two Strangers From Texas

The year 2018 was a difficult year for my family and me. It started with my diagnosis of bladder cancer, then surgery to remove my bladder and create a new one from a section of my bowel. Throughout the spring and summer, I was in and out of the hospital for various reasons including negative reactions to chemotherapy and C-Diff bacterial infections (which turned out to be the worst part of the recovery process). Anne and I so appreciated the many prayers and visits of friends and family.


In late August or early September, I was restless after being confined pretty much to home. I needed a break and wanted to get out of the house and go on a drive up the canyon. It was early evening, and Anne and I drove up to Silver Lake and walked to the dock where the previous year we enjoyed fishing with our sons and grandchildren. This night, however, we just wanted to take a walk, quietly observe nature, and enjoy the beautiful sunset and evening. 


I was pretty weak, and it was slow going. When we finally got to the dock where we had found so much enjoyment the previous year, there were two men standing there enjoying the beauty. We struck up a conversation with them and learned that they were from Texas and were in Salt Lake City for some type of law enforcement conference. They were taking pictures of the lake and its surroundings including some moose that were wading in the willows. We were really enjoying our visit but before too long darkness was setting in and we needed to end the conversation.


Before we separated, they asked for a recommendation for a place to eat. We told them about Silver Fork Lodge just down the canyon and that we were heading there ourselves and they would be welcome to join us if they wanted. They thanked us but made no commitment.


We shook hands, said our goodbyes, and departed in our separate directions. Anne and I went to the restaurant, ordered and were enjoying ourselves as we talked and laughed and let our worries go. While we were in this trance of happiness, these two men walked in and were being seated at another table. We saw them and waved. They came over, and took us up on our invitation to sit at our table.


We had a wonderful meal and an even better conversation. We talked about our families, our work, my recent challenges, Utah’s beauty, the qualities of Texas, and many more things. None of us wanted the evening to end, but we all realized that it was coming to a close and we needed to go.


Before we left, one them asked us if we were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We told him we were. He asked us if we believed in prayer and we assured him that we did. Then he told us that he was a member of the Southern Baptist Church and asked if he could offer a prayer before we left the restaurant. We thought that would be a great idea and so we all bowed our heads and closed our eyes while he said a prayer. It was a beautiful prayer in which he prayed for my health and for our family. When he was through, we thanked him and said our goodbyes again.


As Anne and I drove down the canyon we talked about the evening and the blessing we received by running into these two men from Texas. We talked about the beautiful prayer a stranger offered in our behalf and our gratitude for it. 


With all that is going on in the world today I think it’s important for us to help our children understand that, yes, there are protests and comments, thoughtful actions and thoughtless ones in our neighborhoods and across our country. There are many wonderful people with different beliefs and philosophies, and we are stronger when we learn from each other and work together for our common good. Let’s teach our children to understand and accept people by setting an example of love and appreciation for our differences as well our commonalities. Let’s help our children understand that life is richer and more beautiful because of our differences.




Happy Failing Forward,


Calvert Cazier