My brother, Tommy, has a very good philosophy of how to start his day; he decides to be happy. I’m similar in the way I see the importance of laughter to release endorphins in the body to create a natural sense of euphoria. It helps if one decides to start the day with a positive attitude.

From the mid-nineteen thirties through the mid-nineteen fifties, our home place was located on thirty acres, bordered by a creek which was fed by the Brazos River. For children, this was a paradise; we just didn’t know it at the time. My four older brothers would search for entertainment such as knocking down wasp nests, having “sling-shot” fights with friends, or searching for frogs, crawdads, turtles and snakes as they swam.

My dad described his favorite scene of E. H. age 6, Tom age 4, and Jack age 2: entertaining and protecting each other near the creek. E.H. and Tommy were using sticks to battle a water moccasin (poisonous , cottonmouth snake) while at the same time holding back brother, Jack, who just wanted his diaper put back on.

After pondering why the scene was Dad’s favorite, the answer came: he was watching life. Each day we have a crisis like fighting some danger like the snake, but we are capable of handling the situation and protecting ourselves. Adding humor to the situation, like Jack being bare-bottomed, holding his diaper – mellows the drama. Dad’s shadow in another photo reminded me – we are watched over. Then, with the beauty of nature in the background (even the snake is pretty in his own way) -Life.

Now picture all four naturally athletic boys in a high-grass field near the creek – E. H. and Tommy high school age at the time. The new high school coach, Mr. Weeks, is being given a tour by Mr. Griggs, owner of the Texaco Petroleum Corp. in Granbury. Coach Weeks notices the four brothers in the field near the creek and ask Mr. Griggs, “Aren’t those boys in danger of being bitten by a snake?” Mr. Griggs laughed as he responded, “Oh no, Coach, you need to feel sorry for the snakes, those are the Davis Boys.”

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