On my last year’s journey to Ft. Myers, Margaritaville, I stayed 17 days. This year, I get to stay a little longer. At first I was concerned because I had loose ends to tie up, but everything is now under control.

On my last post I talked about how my sister identifies with the Dixie Chick’s Taking the Long Way Around and how she’a learned to live life with six strong hands on the steering wheel:

• Her
• Her Hopes
• Her Dreams

As Dixie Chicks fans could probably guess, the other song I’ve been listening to on my extended stay in Fort Myers, Margaritaville is their anthem Not Ready to Make Nice.

Their anthem is also my sister’s anthem. And I couldn’t be prouder of her choice.

See, my sister has had endure more than people should have to face.

They say God doesn’t give you more than you handle. But they never mention that debtees end up having to pay society for the debt incurred from the damage done by their debtors, even when the debtors wash their hands of the transactions and hide behind the walls of their repackaged Tower of Babel.

And when the debtors want bygones to be bygones, going so far as to ask for forgiveness to the debtees and then telling their own stakeholders they are not responsible, pushing so far as to dive into moral relativeism in hopes of blurring the events of history and long-con their way back into good graces…

As the Brothers Judd Blog said: “Debtees are always pawns.”

When the Dixie Chicks spoke out, you can’t tell me that Toby Keith’s PR agent didn’t smell gold and encouraged him to speak out. He probably scripted TK’s speech. Think I’m crazy? Check Toby Keith’s records scales before and after the 2003 fallout. Check out the awards. Some think the Dixie Chicks / Toby Keith feud was as for show before it got personal.

The Dixie Chicks laid low for three years, then came back and professed they were going to stay strong:

“I’m stil mad as Hell and I don’t have time to do what it is you think I should [do].” – The Chicks

And they still fight.

If a debtor doesn’t mention their debt, is it still a debt?

In my sister’s case, she wasn’t even aware of the debt. If she didn’t uncover it, her debtors would have never said anything. Slid it under the rug, snuck through life without mentioning. Ignored it and hoped it went away.

“They’re no longer those people.”

Spiritual awakenings don’t pay debts

So long as I’m breathing, the debtors will never be within a gas tank hybrid road trip of my sister until the debt is paid. Her debt is my debt.

And they’re gonna pay that debt with interest. If not one way…

‘Cause I ain’t ever gonna be ready to make nice.

And I can’t help but doubt any spiritual awakening that claims you don’t have to give to Caesar what is Caesar. Not a fan of the Bible? Pick a different canonical text or set of rules from a great nation. They all have a similar concept.

That’s why “Not Ready to Make Nice,” is a blues song

And if my sister’s fight doesn’t inspire you, too, then you’re probably a debtor. You better honor that debt.The alternative is far worse.

And That’s why I like the blues.

And if you can’t see the blues in these stories – the debts, the pain, the mountain of obstacles, and the fight for balance that teeters on vengeance, then, oh, to have your life. And, yes, envy is bluesy too.

Speaking of inspiring stories and songs from Texas

Along with my sister finding inspiration to her inspiring story in songs from a Texas band and my new-found love affair with Austin, Texas, I take a moment to shout out to my once-intern, Bailey Holloway.

As of yesterday, Bailey took her VU degree, packed up her son and her life up here in The Region and sought to make a better life in Texas. Regardless of whether she stays or comes back, I couldn’t admire her anymore for the courageous decision.

So long as she realizes that moving to Texas doesn’t get her debt to me: a few lunches I covered as she interned.

Bailey – may you learn how to live, sing, and dance as they do in Texas.