I have always been partial to Texas skies.

There are none bluer anywhere on the face of the Earth. There are none more menacing, as well, when the weather gods turn their dark and angry countenance upon us.

There's a song we sing down here in Texas. Goes something like this:

"The eyes of Texas are upon you
 All the live-long day,
 They eyes of Texas are upon you
 You cannot get away."

We mean every word of it.

Sometimes I think about all the things these Texas skies have seen. All the history they have witnessed. They reign over a proud and independent people. Our heritage is forged within us by the pioneering, adventuring blood that rages yet within our veins.

We are an unruly lot. We have our own ideas about things and we don't cotton to anyone telling us how to do it better. Sometimes that is to our advantage; sometimes not. But you'll never catch us wasting one single moment on regret.

It was a blow to Texas pride when Alaska came into the Union. We'd been the biggest and the baddest until then. But here comes Alaska, giant rambunctious renegade that she is, and knocks us off the podium in two areas: they is bigger and they is wilder. As things have worked out, though, we have somehow retained our mythos and our legend. Despite a minor size impairment, some element of mystique remains.

Those Republic of Texas folks who were holed up in the Davis Mountains? They were serious. And smart enough not to die to make their point. Sometimes I think I'd like to see Texas reclaim her Republic status just because it's such an off-the-wall thing to do. It fits us Texans to a "t". That's just the romantic in me, though. The pragmatist wonders if it would be a good idea or not.

I have always felt at home in Texas, a true and integral part of her. Even if I had not been born here I think I would have found her. I have gazed into her azure soul on many a starry night and felt myself a part of her universe, of all that exists. Her skies are the portal through which I take part in the cosmic dance. And through that same portal my soul soars nightly in search of adventure.

Texas skies have seen me at my depths. They have borne witness to my sins and my shames, my growth and my glories. Into their ether I have risen as the Phoenix from the ashes of my own destruction, transcending the spectre of human suffering. Through it all these skies have sustained and nurtured me. When I could depend on no other, I could depend on the heavens above me.

There is a part of you which searches. Which relentlessly goes forth on its unknown quest, pressing ever-onward, shaking you from your roots, making your eyes long for the vision over the horizon.

I am glad that tonight you sleep under Texas skies.