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The Medlin News
SEPTEMBER 2025
A Look Back at Where It All Started Heritage Day Hits Home
When people talk about deep Texas roots, my family’s story usually raises a few eyebrows. With Heritage Day coming up in September, it’s a good time to pause and think about the people who came before us, and mine left some pretty remarkable footprints. Most of my ancestors came from Europe — places like Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, and what used to be called Prussia. A few arrived in the early 1800s and eventually made their way to North Texas. In 1846, my great-great-grandfather helped start a Baptist church with other settlers, which still stands today. It’s called Lonesome Dove Baptist Church, and it is one of the oldest continuously operating Protestant churches west of the Mississippi. Of course, the church’s name might ring a bell if you’re a fan of the book or miniseries “Lonesome Dove.” The book’s author, Larry McMurtry, got the name after spotting it on a church van parked outside a cafe. He may have taken the name, but we’re the original. Other stories passed down through my family are full of moments you wouldn’t believe unless you heard them firsthand. Not long after helping found the church, my great-great-grandfather got restless. He left Texas with a wagon train bound for California, taking everything he had. Along the way, they ran into serious trouble. There were confrontations with Native American
tribes, and they lost all their cattle and supplies. He still ended up staying in California, but some of his cousins stuck around Texas and settled in what is now Trophy Club. Those cousins left behind a few landmarks of their own. One was a large Dutch-style barn that stood for decades. That is, until it was famously blown up during an episode of “Walker, Texas Ranger.” Chuck Norris needed a barn for a scene, and that was the one. It’s a strange claim to fame, but one we’ve laughed at more than once. Some of my family eventually moved west again, but not all of them stayed. A few of their children or grandchildren returned to Texas, including my grandfather, who settled in West Texas, near Midland and Odessa. That’s where he ranched sheep and raised his family. My dad and his siblings grew up on that land, and I still have lots of extended family in Texas today. So, while our roots go back over 180 years, they’ve never spread far. Remembering and honoring our family heritage is important to me, and it was to my father, too. I haven’t done much genealogy work, but he was deep into it. He gathered family records, gravestone inscriptions, and old stories and put them into a little book on Medlin family history.
I remember him taking me to the Medlin Cemetery when I was about 7 years old and showing me the names carved into stone and explaining how everyone was connected. It didn’t mean much to me at the time, but the older I get, the more I appreciate what he put together. When you see how many people it took and the journeys they made to get you to where you are today, you can’t help but feel a sense of pride.
That’s what Heritage Day is all about. You don’t have to have a famous ancestor or a barn
that made it onto TV. Sometimes, it’s just about remembering where you came from and appreciating the grit it took to get there.
– Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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No More Manic Mondays SUNDAY HABITS THAT SET YOU UP FOR THE WEEK
Declutter Decluttering and clearing your space will directly impact your mental state. This can be an overwhelming task at times, especially if you have a house full of kids, but you can make it manageable by keeping up with it every week. It might be easier once the kids go to bed, but take a few minutes every Sunday to walk through your house and pick up any items off the floor, on furniture, and anywhere else they may be lying. Plan Ahead Nothing will better prepare you for the week ahead than planning. Look through your work schedule and your kids’ calendars to make sure you’re aware of upcoming events, games, or practices. You could
After a long week of work, many Americans relax, participate in their hobbies, and try to avoid increased responsibilities during the weekend. While this can be beneficial for your mental health, have you ever felt like your week was off to a rough start as soon as Monday rolled around? There’s nothing wrong with relaxing on the weekend, but putting aside your responsibilities for a few days can put you behind the eight ball. You don’t need to set aside your Sunday to deep-clean the house from top to bottom, but adding beneficial habits to the final day of the weekend can ensure every week starts on the right foot.
also consider meal prepping if the upcoming week looks busier than usual. To take it a step further, prepack your kids’ lunches, lay out clothes for the workweek, and write down additional responsibilities you’ll have throughout the week. Light Cleaning As stated earlier, you don’t need to deep-clean every week, but your home will look much better if you establish weekly light cleaning behaviors. Wipe down the surfaces in your kitchen, clean the windows, and give your floor some love by mopping, vacuuming, or sweeping. If you have the time and energy, consider doing a load of laundry or two. These little tasks will add up, making your house consistently sparkle.
EVERY FAMILY HAS A STORY Preserving Legacies Through Immigration Heritage Day is a good reminder that our ancestors did more than pass down names. They passed down stories, traditions, and values we share today. And it’s important not to forget our family stories are still being written. For many families, their current story involves a journey into this country, and immigration law affects what that journey looks like. One of the clearest ways we see that is through family-based immigration. This is a path families can use to create a new future in the United States. U.S. citizens and green card holders can sponsor their spouses, children, parents, and siblings through the family-based immigrant visa process. The goal is to keep families together and allow them to build something better. We see the impact of the immigration process every day. When someone gains legal status, their world opens up. They can work and make a living without fear, enroll their kids in school, and build a life they can count on. In many cases, it means their other family members can come here, too.
That kind of stability affects more than one person. Ultimately, it has an impact that lasts for generations.
Still, the path isn’t always smooth. There are rules to follow, long waits, and no shortage of paperwork. It’s a multistep process overseen by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and following the correct procedures is essential. But when a family can come together and settle into a new chapter of life, it makes all the effort worth it. You can feel the relief and see the positive change that comes about. If your family is dealing with immigration issues or looking for the best way forward, we can help. The sooner you start, the more options you may have. Every step you take now builds something lasting for the people you care about most. And someday, it might become part of a story your family tells for generations.
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Prior Convictions Raise the Stakes When the Past Comes Back
A criminal conviction doesn’t just go away. If you’re facing a new charge, your record can seriously affect the outcome. It might change how the judge sees you. It could limit your options. And in some cases, it might even change the charge itself.
at probation or diversion programs. Your bail might be set higher. Prosecutors may push for jail time, even if they wouldn’t normally for a first-time offender. There’s also something called Texas’ “habitual offender” rule. If you already have two felony convictions and pick up a third, you could be looking at 25 years to life, no matter what the third charge is. That’s not just a scare tactic. It’s written into the law, and prosecutors know how to use it. We’ve seen this kind of thing play out in real cases. A client might have a relatively minor drug charge, but because of a theft conviction on their record from years ago, prosecutors will try to use that to argue for harsher punishment. Even though the charges aren’t related, their record still follows them into the courtroom. It’s not just about the charges you face today. Courts look at patterns. They want to know whether this is a one-time mistake or part of a longer history. And if you’ve made progress in your life since a prior conviction, you need to tell that story clearly and early in the process. If you or someone you care about is facing charges and already has a record, don’t wait. The impact of prior convictions can be serious, and the right legal approach can make all the difference.
In Texas, certain prior offenses can raise the stakes fast. Take a DWI, for example. A first or second offense is
usually a misdemeanor. But if you already have two on your record, the next DWI becomes a felony. That upgrade can mean longer jail time, bigger fines, and a much harder path forward. Prior convictions also play a role when it comes to sentencing. Judges look at your entire history. The penalties can increase if you’ve been in trouble before, especially for a similar offense. You might lose the chance
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
Ingredients • 1 large head
2. On a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, toss cauliflower with 2 tbsp olive oil. 3. Arrange cauliflower in a single layer, sprinkle with a little salt, and bake 25–35 minutes until tender. 4. In a soup pot, heat remaining olive oil and cook onion and 1/4 tsp salt until soft. 5. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then add broth. 6. Add all but 4 cauliflower florets to the pot and simmer for 20 minutes. 7. Transfer mixture to a blender, add butter, and blend until smooth. Then blend in lemon juice and nutmeg. 8. Garnish with cauliflower florets and serve. Add parsley, onion, and chives as desired.
cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, plus more • 1 medium red onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced • 4 cups vegetable broth • 2 tbsp unsalted butter • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg • 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley, chives, or green onions for garnish
For resources, practice areas, and more, scan the QR code to visit our website, MedlinFirm.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. A Texas Family Legacy
2. Turn Lazy Sundays Into Your Productivity Power Hour
Building a New Family Future
3. How a Record Affects New Charges
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
4. Superstition’s Grip on Modern Habits
FROM LADDERS TO BLACK CATS: THE QUIRKY WORLD OF SUPERSTITIONS
Ever caught yourself short after walking under a ladder or cringed when a black cat crossed your path? You’re not alone. These superstitions have been with us for centuries, and they’re just two on a long list of many that people still have today. While some may feel silly, all of them have fascinating origin stories. Of course, there’s a practical, safety-related reason not to walk under a ladder, but the superstition comes from several places, including Christian tradition. In Christianity, the triangle represents the Holy Trinity. Walking through the triangle formed by a ladder was seen as breaking this perfect unity. Ladders were also associated with the gallows in medieval times. Walking under one was thought to bring death or bad luck — nobody wanted that energy. What about the black cat thing? They got a bad rap in medieval Europe and were tied to witchcraft. The number 13? That came from stories of betrayal and misfortune. Opening an umbrella
indoors? That’s part practicality — no one wants to knock over a vase or poke someone in the eye — and part belief that opening them indoors would offend the Sun God. Do you carry a rabbit’s foot for good luck? You have Celtic folklore to thank for that one. The truth is that all superstitions are a mix of history, fear, and habit rolled into stuff we still believe and do without thinking. So, the next time you say “bless you” after a sneeze, remember you’re protecting souls one sniffle at a time.
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