Special People

Many years ago, back before the internet, I started a quest to trace my roots back as far as I could. My mother-in-law had published two books on her family and her husband's family so that spurred my curiosity.  Also, the miniseries Roots was on TV and the entire country it seems had an interest in their geneology. I somehow found the time and pieced together a pretty good chronology of the Robersons.  The end result was less than impressive; no royalty, no significant leaders of times gone by. Bottom line: ordinary people leading ordinary lives.

My initial reaction was one of disappointment.  You read stories about ordinary people finding that they descended from this Duke or that baron. Nobody descended from common laborers of their times. I felt that I was special and that someone in my lineage MUST be special as well! Alas, if that person be there he or she kept a low profile!

We all want to make our mark upon the world. Sadly, it is like a dog marking his territory.  The human ego drives us to leave a legacy. I had grandiose plans when I was younger. As I matured I set more realistic goals and have been fortunate to reach most of them. It is a common exercise for men to take stock of themselves and their deeds and readjust where necessary.

Andy Warhol,  I believe,  coined the phrase "we are all looking for our 15 minutes of fame". The fact is that most of us never get even close to that much. Most of those that do achieve infamy,  not fame, through their crimes or misdeeds.  Do you think Bernie Madoff or any of his "victims " are enjoying their 15 minutes?  Or the survivors of 911? Don't you think they wish every day for that humdrum life they had on 9/10/01? Be careful what you wish for!

Today, in the era of the 24 hour news cycle, the internet, and instant communication with the multitudes, a new kind of legacy seeker has emerged. Those are the people that spend most of their time scouring the internet in search of "the truth". And, low and behold,  they found it! Of course finding it and knowing it is not sufficient.  YOU MUST TELL THE WORLD!!!! The world must know that:
1. They are very smart
2. They have found the truth
3. The government doesn't want you to know the truth.
4. You must head the warnings before it is too late!

There are many variations on the theme, most having some basis in Biblical prophesy. And of course should you fail to heed the warnings you are stupid or part of the conspiracy. 

A healthy skepticism of the government is always in order. Nowadays government's first allegiance is to itself and that needs to change!  We have the ability to change the government by throwing out the bums and getting new representation on board. But the job is never done. They have to be held accountable and the voters must do it.

Those are the special people in the world. The people that are engaged in their communities, rearing good citizens that will do the same. They work to change things from within, not clubbing everyone as they go about their lives. The special people are invested in making life a little better for them and others around them.

In the final analysis my special people will probably not make it to the history books. But how important is that really?