"Spread the Wealth Around"

I was pondering the events around the world, in our country, and even our community lately. People seem to cry that life is not 'fair' - apparently their mother forgot to tell them that as mine did. They also believe it is up to others to give them of their abundance and therefore "spread the wealth" around. I watch the "Occupy (insert city here)" crowd make their list of demands and it baffles me that they want something for nothing. Pardon me for being blunt - but if you want something - work is usually involved in some form or fashion. There are so many rabbit trails I could chase today - but for this first thought on "Heritage" - I'm going to trace my roots. This is not a "wow look at your family" post. Some would read what I'm about to write and say "well we didn't have those things given to us... your family was lucky. Luck had nothing to do with it. I digress - here is my thoughts for today.

It all started when my Great Grandparents, Marland & Agnes Gibson, married and lived in a booming community called Boynton, Oklahoma (a ghost of a town today, but once it had a railroad and booming oil fields surrounding it). They had a bouncing baby boy and named him Charles Orbin Gibson. The exact details of when the following events happened are sketchy - but all happened before my Grandfather (C.O.) was 2 years old. Agnes went to take care of a sick relative, contracted Tuberculosis and then died. Upon the death of his bride, Marland did something that to this day impresses me and tells me something of his Character. He took out life insurance on himself. He was a single dad and had a boy to be responsible for. Sometime in the winter a relative got sick and my great grandfather hopped in his Ford Model T (one of the first in Boynton, Oklahoma I'm told) and drove on the less than navigable snow and ice covered roads to get the doctor. On the way back to the house - he slid off a bridge and into the creek - I can take you to that bridge today and show you where my great-grandfather died. The doctor pronounced him dead on the scene due to a broken neck. My grandfathers Uncle & Aunt Lucas' took him in, placed the life insurance money in the bank and raised him with their kids. Coincidently this is how I'm related to Toby Keith by marriage. I'm also blood related to Willie Nelson through my Grandmother Clara Lee O'Daniel - if you are interested in useless information. The Lucas' helped find a piece of property and purchase it in Pumpkin Center, Oklahoma. My grandfather (C.O.) then worked as a business man and purchased other pieces of property to start a family ranch there in Oklahoma. My father, Don Gibson, also purchased additional property and drilled oil wells to further sustain the Ranch. My parents worked hard to build and develop one of the most beautiful Cattle Ranches in Northeast Oklahoma. It was not easy - it took years of hard work and money. My father has always had a keen sense of money and how to make money. He has made some very wise choices and has reaped the benefit of those choices - what I'm trying to say is that hard work and sacrifice has rewards. I look back and cannot help but think that this all started with a man of Character, Marland - who had the foresight to prepare for the future. I thank God for the heritage of my family.

Now to my rant. People want to stand and say that my family should give freely to anyone who wants it because it is unfair that they have prospered in the land of opportunity known as our United States of America? Why? They didn't work for it - they didn't earn it. Why should we be punished with the death tax? Why should an elected leader say we need to "spread the wealth around"? I don't think so. I look at my baby Abigail and I want to instill in her a sense of pride - pride in her work and labor of her hands. Her ability to achieve and dream. I don't want to teach her to be jealous of the "haves" and think she is a "have-not". I want to teach her Godly principles and Character so that she too can make wise decisions to further prepare for her future family.

Until next time...

revkev