Thursday, May

Walker County Press-Page 12

Lifestyle

Thursday May 5 , 2022

Murry Burnham: 1929-2022. A true Texas Legend, my friend, Murry Burnham, died peacefully on April 20. Descendants of Stephen F. Austin’s “Old 300”, the first Anglo Colony in Mexico’s Tejas, Murry and his brother, Winston, learned the ways of the woods from their father. One skill they mastered was calling predators and wild game. They later formed Burnham Bros. Game Calls and taught a nation how to call critters. As a woodsman, he was beyond comparison. At home in the wilderness, he was as close to being a “white Indian” as anyone I’ve known. He was at one with wildlife. One opening weekend of deer season, he hunted early, but was in church when it started -- In full camo. A new carpet had been installed. The windows were open, and a bird flew in and lit on the Communion rail. The church women nervously feared it would ruin the new carpet. Murry slowly rose, quietly walked to it, peacefully cupped his hands around the timid bird, and released it out a window. The bird seemed to sense no danger. A mutual friend told

me Murry had a pet, wild, Rio Grande turkey that would ride on the front seat beside him as he drove to town in his truck. And he was an acCountry music lost complished hunter. an icon this week- His photos show an end. Naomi Judd has impressive night’s passed away the day fox hunting, all called before they were to within range on Burnenter the hall of fame. ham Bros. calls. I’ve Two weeks after a worn out several of his fantastic performance mouth calls with limon the CMT Awards. ited success -- probAs cornerstones of the ably due to operator 90’s Country scene, error -- but I always The Judds were some have at least one with of the best. Yes, you me afield. knew Naomi’s health Murry also hunted was poor. But hepawild bulls in the cane titis that forced them breaks along the Rio into retirement did Grande, an activity not take her. Statenot recommended for ment from her kids the faint at heart. said they lost her to Another time, he acmental illness. Noth- cepted my invitation

ing else. One can assume, but nothing confirmed and I won’t speculate. What I will say is mental Illness is real. The last few weeks has seen three female collegiate athletes succumb to their demons of mental illness. We live in an increasingly negative world. A world of doubt, of hate, of viciousness, and instant gratification. That equates to society taking a big mental hit. We’ve been so busy

Sunday Observations by Christy the issue. If your child needed glasses you arguing about vac- would never quescines, viruses, pol- tion helping their viitics, and what we sion. Treat their brain hate, that it seems we the same. Do what is have forgotten what necessary to enhance we love. Any chance their brain. I get to discuss men- Happy Sunday peeps, tal health I will jump please please never on it. This is one of think there shouldn’t those. be a tomorrow. Or the I urge you, discuss world is better withmental health regularly with your kids. From early on. Make discussing what stresses them out as normal as asking if they brush their teeth every day. Because you take them for dental checkups, for doctor visits, to get their eyes checked. We ask how they feel. But we have got to normalize asking and talking about mental health. Then if you find out your child struggles, ACKNOWLEDGING IT is the biggest support you can give them!! Let them know they are not alone. That mental health is just a different part of their body, but that it’s so important to take care of their brain. Feed that brain positive snacks. Tell the brain it’s loved. Be a safe spot for the days the brain isn’t cooperating. Acknowledge out you. In the words of the Judds, When we stand together, it’s our finest hour We can do anything Anything Keep believin’ in the power. We can start today, by loving one another. By caring, helping and lifting one anoth-

er. Don’t you think it’s time to do your part, to help mental illness? Talk about it. Just like you would if someone had the flu, cancer, or diabetes. Normalize it. And through normalization, we begin to help it. And maybe save a few. Or at least….. build a bridge.

WOODS, WATERS, and WILDLIFE TEXAS LOSES A LEGEND

By John Jefferson