Wednesday, February 09, 2005
One Truly Remarkable Woman -- A Woman Worth Admiring
My Grannie Carter served as a major role model in my life and in many others. In addition to her gracious and loving character, she led a truly remarkable life.
My Great-Grandmother (aka Grannie Carter) was born Beatrice Gipson on November 30, 1899 in Azle, Texas. Her Mother died when Grannie was only 4 years old and her Father, a man of great character, raised eight children by himself. My Grannie often expressed a wish that she could recall more about her mother. She only had one or two memory flashes about her mother -- and that always seemed to distress her. One of her most vivid memories was the night her mother died. She remembered that everyone was crying but could not understand the concept of her mother never returning. She cherished the portraits of her mother, always speaking of how pretty she was and how she wished she could look as pretty as her mother. My Grannie could never really see how beautiful she was -- always speaking of the beauty of her sisters. Everyone who knew her believed she was beautiful as well.....
Despite losing his wife, Papa Gipson (my Great-Great Grandpa) successfully raised all 8 children to be great and wonderful, loving human beings. As a founding father of Azle, a housing edition and several streets were named after him (the Gipson edition, including "Gipson Road" and the streets "William" and Thomas"). Serving as the Trustee of the School Board for numerous years, he emphasized the importance of education to each of his children and all were successful. I was lucky enough to know five of them, Aunt Elsie, Aunt Mamie, Aunt Laura (the oldest daughter), and Uncle Bill, as they all lived long lives! They were all a very close-knit, loving family -- every single one of them sweet and genuine, almost to a fault. Unfortunately, I never knew Sam, Charlie, or Luther (although I vaguely remember meeting Luther a time or two). My mother remembers that Papa Gipson was a very kind man.
My Great-Grandfather (Grannie Carter's husband) was born Atlas Carter on October 23, 1897 in Reno, Texas. He and Grannie Carter were married on September 14, 1918, which makes my Grannie Carter almost 19 when she married. Following her formal education in Denton, Texas, my Grannie Carter became a school teacher. Her first teaching job was at Dido-- and later taught in Azle in a red brick building on Church Street. She then had three sons, all born in Azle, Texas. She later went to work at the Azle Post Office in 1941 -- her sons serving in the armed forces during WWII, one on land, one in the air and the other on the sea.
She later became Assistant Postmaster in 1952. She retired in 1966. I clearly remember one day when she set off for work in her house shoes -- and I stopped her before she could get to the car. She thanked me pointing it out! and laughed at herself... (makes me think of the time that I wore two different pairs of shoes, one black and the other brown, to work about 10 years ago-- I sure wish someone had caught me before I made it in to work).
My Great-Grandfather was a baseball player, beginning his baseball career soon after his marriage to my Grannie. He served as a pitcher with the Rangers of the West Texas League. My Grannie wrote that Papa Carter had never thought much about becoming a professional until his team in Azle had played a team from Fort Worth, wherein he struck out twenty-one men in a single game. The very next day, he received a phone call from the Ranger's manager, asking him to play ball. He had a successful career in baseball as pitcher, pitching several no-hitters, in Texas and Oklahoma. Grannie Carter and their three sons traveled all over Texas and Oklahoma with Papa Carter for all of his games.
After my Papa's ball playing days, they settled in Azle, Texas, buying land on the then "new" Jacksboro highway -- their house was the first on the "new" highway to Lake Worth. My great-grandparents built their own house. Once they completed the house, my Papa worked for the Parks Dept. in Ft. Worth as a park policeman. My Papa died in 1958 (before I got the chance to meet him) from injuries from a gas explosion/fire in their house.
Following Papa's tragic death, my Grannie traveled the world. She had told me over and over again while I was growing up that her greatest wish was to travel to the moon. I truly wish she could have gone to the moon! I know she would have gone to the moon if she had actually had the opportunity to do so. She was one of the most adventurous people I ever met. She traveled to Alaska for an exciting fishing trip where she and her group caught 250 pounds of fish in one day. She traveled to all of the states in the U.S. (except Maine). She went to the Holy Land -- and rode on a camel's back at the ripe age of 80! She traveled to Hawaii and Europe as well.
In addition to loving her family and making friends everywhere she visited, Grannie served as a leader of her community, proud of Azle and its heritage/roots. Grannie Carter was a Charter member of the Gipson Rebekah Lodge and was voted the Outstanding Rebekah of Tarrant County in 1965. She took me and my sisters to a few of her Rebekah Christmas parties, where all of the sweet ladies would fuss over us the entire night. She always loved taking us to such events. She also worked for the Cancer Society for numerous years; and also served as the President and Secretary of the PTA Grannie also served as a Charter Member and President of the Home Demonstration Club and the Azle Woman's Club.
In addition to her wonderful efforts at making Azle a better community, she also worked and contributed her time/energy, as well as her own artifacts, to the Azle Historical Museum -which she helped to found/establish -- and where she donated numerous items, including Papa Gipson's violin, an old wooden post office mail divider, her old school slate/board, an extremely old organ, and numerous other items. She also served as the Treasurer of the Azle Cemetery Board for many years. In addition, she was instrumental in obtaining at least three historical markers in Azle.
Before she died, she was working on her third book which was to be about her travels to foreign countries, as well as Alaska and Hawaii. Her first book entitled "My Home Town" concerned Azle, Texas and its founding fathers, roots, families, etc. Her second book, entitled "The Gipson Family from 1647 to 1981" concerned her father's family. She traced our family roots to England to Sir John Gipson, a baronet. She was also instrumental in organizing the book entitled "Azle Community History", for which she wrote numerous histories and stories.
Grannie Carter exemplified ---for me ---the ultimate human "role model", teaching (by example) all who knew her about the true purity of truly loving others. And, in all of the years we were blessed to have her with us on earth, I NEVER heard her utter even a SINGLE unkind, demeaning, judgmental word about ANY individual. Although not perfect, she indeed, embodied the most Christ-like person I have ever known, focusing on finding/seeking out the absolute "good" in others -- and everyone who knew her has said the same.
Rather than even MENTION a fault in someone else, she focused on finding/seeking out the absolute "good" in others -- and built strong, positive bonds based on those "goods." Rather than criticize or demean, she graciously made "suggestions" or "propositions" regarding life, with the sole purpose of merely showing/teaching/guiding an individual towards another way of thinking/considering something. Indeed, she was the most Christ-like person I have ever known -- and everyone who knew her has said the same. She taught all of us TRUE lessons in genuinely and selflessly loving others/your family.
Grannie Carter's example made me specifically think of the way people should strive to treat others in this world -- especially family members... Everyone should know that there is a world of difference between gracious, kind constructive criticism of someone that loves you and looks out for your well-being v. the person that eyeballs you under a microscope in order to find some fault to parade before the eyes of the world.
The notion of hypercriticism (a.k.a. judgmentalism) takes me back to one of my favorite readings/lessons in the Bible wherein Jesus asks the Pharisees: “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” ----I believe Jesus’ intent here is to point out that some people spend far too much time and attention looking at others, and far too little time considering their own lives.
In fact, a person intent on relentlessly judging others seems to takes great pains to avoid self-inspection ---lest (s)he finds something unpleasant or repulsive within; So, (s)he persistently probes others’ lives in search of “specks” of debris in others while painstakingly declining to perceive or take notice of the failings/aberrant things in his/her own character. In fact, this individual likely finds some sort of “self-approval” by disapproving others.
In stark contrast to using “judgmentalism” or “hypercriticism” towards others, a person can choose (like my Grannie Carter did) to use “constructive criticism.” Some examples of “constructive criticism” include: (1) when a professor critiques a paper you have written. The professor will point out your mistakes/weaknesses so that you are able to understand how you can improve; (2) when your boss gives you a job performance evaluation. Your boss will point out growth areas so you know where you stand and how you can improve your performance; and (3) when as a parent, you seek to provide constructive guidance/discipline to your child, while at the same time, giving that child the autonomy, as well as trust/confidence, to think on his/her own. This allows your child to continue to feel valued, actually encouraging your child’s cooperation/collaboration, and even motivates your child to create/develop positive life strategies.
Hypercriticism, on the other hand, is a judgmental, faultfinding spirit, rearing its ugly head as the hypercritical person finds actual delight in finding weaknesses/faults in others --- combined with an inherent tendency to make small, insignificant things seem large.
But, don’t get me wrong or misunderstand what I am saying: I do not think that Jesus was saying, or that my Grannie was conveying the idea that we cannot or should not make judgments about others under any circumstances. Rather, Jesus seems to be trying to convey the notion that the character judgments people make about others should be based on principles and not bias/prejudice/delight in finding fault. In fact, when a person is in the hypercritical/judgmental mode, (s)he is actually substituting prejudice for true principles. For example, the hypercritical person does not wait until the facts are in. In fact, the hypercritical person does not really even attempt to seek out or care about the real facts --
My Grannie Carter's example/Jesus’ lesson also reminds me that love is more than mere “words” -- and is also more than a “feeling.” Rather, love is action, based on a sincere, kind, non-faultfinding attitude. In contrast, a person with a judgmental spirit not only has a fundamental attitude problem, but also has a problem with love/loving, e.g., has a lack of genuine, pure, unadulterated love in his/her heart. And, although people in general like to consider themselves as “loving” individuals, people with hypocritical spirits towards others (sadly) cannot really fully love others. Why are they unable to selflessly and genuinely love others? Well, if i look specifically at my Grannie Carter's example, it is because true, genuine (and Christ-like) “love” does NOT rejoice at other’s wrongdoings or weaknesses -- and, moreover, genuine love NEVER attaches conditions/strings for gaining and retaining that “love”...
The life of my beloved Grannie Carter, who chose to so closely embody Jesus' teachings/life, taught all who knew her about the fundamental truths in loving others. I am so fortunate and blessed to now remember/recall and (try to) selflessly embrace, and acknowledge these lessons today... She taught all of us who knew her the TRUE lessons in genuinely and selflessly loving others/your family. She died in 1989 at the age of 89. I truly miss her physical presence in my life -- although I am certain that she is watching over me and her other family members/friends as one of God’s chosen.........
My Great-Grandmother (aka Grannie Carter) was born Beatrice Gipson on November 30, 1899 in Azle, Texas. Her Mother died when Grannie was only 4 years old and her Father, a man of great character, raised eight children by himself. My Grannie often expressed a wish that she could recall more about her mother. She only had one or two memory flashes about her mother -- and that always seemed to distress her. One of her most vivid memories was the night her mother died. She remembered that everyone was crying but could not understand the concept of her mother never returning. She cherished the portraits of her mother, always speaking of how pretty she was and how she wished she could look as pretty as her mother. My Grannie could never really see how beautiful she was -- always speaking of the beauty of her sisters. Everyone who knew her believed she was beautiful as well.....
Despite losing his wife, Papa Gipson (my Great-Great Grandpa) successfully raised all 8 children to be great and wonderful, loving human beings. As a founding father of Azle, a housing edition and several streets were named after him (the Gipson edition, including "Gipson Road" and the streets "William" and Thomas"). Serving as the Trustee of the School Board for numerous years, he emphasized the importance of education to each of his children and all were successful. I was lucky enough to know five of them, Aunt Elsie, Aunt Mamie, Aunt Laura (the oldest daughter), and Uncle Bill, as they all lived long lives! They were all a very close-knit, loving family -- every single one of them sweet and genuine, almost to a fault. Unfortunately, I never knew Sam, Charlie, or Luther (although I vaguely remember meeting Luther a time or two). My mother remembers that Papa Gipson was a very kind man.
My Great-Grandfather (Grannie Carter's husband) was born Atlas Carter on October 23, 1897 in Reno, Texas. He and Grannie Carter were married on September 14, 1918, which makes my Grannie Carter almost 19 when she married. Following her formal education in Denton, Texas, my Grannie Carter became a school teacher. Her first teaching job was at Dido-- and later taught in Azle in a red brick building on Church Street. She then had three sons, all born in Azle, Texas. She later went to work at the Azle Post Office in 1941 -- her sons serving in the armed forces during WWII, one on land, one in the air and the other on the sea.
She later became Assistant Postmaster in 1952. She retired in 1966. I clearly remember one day when she set off for work in her house shoes -- and I stopped her before she could get to the car. She thanked me pointing it out! and laughed at herself... (makes me think of the time that I wore two different pairs of shoes, one black and the other brown, to work about 10 years ago-- I sure wish someone had caught me before I made it in to work).
My Great-Grandfather was a baseball player, beginning his baseball career soon after his marriage to my Grannie. He served as a pitcher with the Rangers of the West Texas League. My Grannie wrote that Papa Carter had never thought much about becoming a professional until his team in Azle had played a team from Fort Worth, wherein he struck out twenty-one men in a single game. The very next day, he received a phone call from the Ranger's manager, asking him to play ball. He had a successful career in baseball as pitcher, pitching several no-hitters, in Texas and Oklahoma. Grannie Carter and their three sons traveled all over Texas and Oklahoma with Papa Carter for all of his games.
After my Papa's ball playing days, they settled in Azle, Texas, buying land on the then "new" Jacksboro highway -- their house was the first on the "new" highway to Lake Worth. My great-grandparents built their own house. Once they completed the house, my Papa worked for the Parks Dept. in Ft. Worth as a park policeman. My Papa died in 1958 (before I got the chance to meet him) from injuries from a gas explosion/fire in their house.
Following Papa's tragic death, my Grannie traveled the world. She had told me over and over again while I was growing up that her greatest wish was to travel to the moon. I truly wish she could have gone to the moon! I know she would have gone to the moon if she had actually had the opportunity to do so. She was one of the most adventurous people I ever met. She traveled to Alaska for an exciting fishing trip where she and her group caught 250 pounds of fish in one day. She traveled to all of the states in the U.S. (except Maine). She went to the Holy Land -- and rode on a camel's back at the ripe age of 80! She traveled to Hawaii and Europe as well.
In addition to loving her family and making friends everywhere she visited, Grannie served as a leader of her community, proud of Azle and its heritage/roots. Grannie Carter was a Charter member of the Gipson Rebekah Lodge and was voted the Outstanding Rebekah of Tarrant County in 1965. She took me and my sisters to a few of her Rebekah Christmas parties, where all of the sweet ladies would fuss over us the entire night. She always loved taking us to such events. She also worked for the Cancer Society for numerous years; and also served as the President and Secretary of the PTA Grannie also served as a Charter Member and President of the Home Demonstration Club and the Azle Woman's Club.
In addition to her wonderful efforts at making Azle a better community, she also worked and contributed her time/energy, as well as her own artifacts, to the Azle Historical Museum -which she helped to found/establish -- and where she donated numerous items, including Papa Gipson's violin, an old wooden post office mail divider, her old school slate/board, an extremely old organ, and numerous other items. She also served as the Treasurer of the Azle Cemetery Board for many years. In addition, she was instrumental in obtaining at least three historical markers in Azle.
Before she died, she was working on her third book which was to be about her travels to foreign countries, as well as Alaska and Hawaii. Her first book entitled "My Home Town" concerned Azle, Texas and its founding fathers, roots, families, etc. Her second book, entitled "The Gipson Family from 1647 to 1981" concerned her father's family. She traced our family roots to England to Sir John Gipson, a baronet. She was also instrumental in organizing the book entitled "Azle Community History", for which she wrote numerous histories and stories.
Grannie Carter exemplified ---for me ---the ultimate human "role model", teaching (by example) all who knew her about the true purity of truly loving others. And, in all of the years we were blessed to have her with us on earth, I NEVER heard her utter even a SINGLE unkind, demeaning, judgmental word about ANY individual. Although not perfect, she indeed, embodied the most Christ-like person I have ever known, focusing on finding/seeking out the absolute "good" in others -- and everyone who knew her has said the same.
Rather than even MENTION a fault in someone else, she focused on finding/seeking out the absolute "good" in others -- and built strong, positive bonds based on those "goods." Rather than criticize or demean, she graciously made "suggestions" or "propositions" regarding life, with the sole purpose of merely showing/teaching/guiding an individual towards another way of thinking/considering something. Indeed, she was the most Christ-like person I have ever known -- and everyone who knew her has said the same. She taught all of us TRUE lessons in genuinely and selflessly loving others/your family.
Grannie Carter's example made me specifically think of the way people should strive to treat others in this world -- especially family members... Everyone should know that there is a world of difference between gracious, kind constructive criticism of someone that loves you and looks out for your well-being v. the person that eyeballs you under a microscope in order to find some fault to parade before the eyes of the world.
The notion of hypercriticism (a.k.a. judgmentalism) takes me back to one of my favorite readings/lessons in the Bible wherein Jesus asks the Pharisees: “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” ----I believe Jesus’ intent here is to point out that some people spend far too much time and attention looking at others, and far too little time considering their own lives.
In fact, a person intent on relentlessly judging others seems to takes great pains to avoid self-inspection ---lest (s)he finds something unpleasant or repulsive within; So, (s)he persistently probes others’ lives in search of “specks” of debris in others while painstakingly declining to perceive or take notice of the failings/aberrant things in his/her own character. In fact, this individual likely finds some sort of “self-approval” by disapproving others.
In stark contrast to using “judgmentalism” or “hypercriticism” towards others, a person can choose (like my Grannie Carter did) to use “constructive criticism.” Some examples of “constructive criticism” include: (1) when a professor critiques a paper you have written. The professor will point out your mistakes/weaknesses so that you are able to understand how you can improve; (2) when your boss gives you a job performance evaluation. Your boss will point out growth areas so you know where you stand and how you can improve your performance; and (3) when as a parent, you seek to provide constructive guidance/discipline to your child, while at the same time, giving that child the autonomy, as well as trust/confidence, to think on his/her own. This allows your child to continue to feel valued, actually encouraging your child’s cooperation/collaboration, and even motivates your child to create/develop positive life strategies.
Hypercriticism, on the other hand, is a judgmental, faultfinding spirit, rearing its ugly head as the hypercritical person finds actual delight in finding weaknesses/faults in others --- combined with an inherent tendency to make small, insignificant things seem large.
But, don’t get me wrong or misunderstand what I am saying: I do not think that Jesus was saying, or that my Grannie was conveying the idea that we cannot or should not make judgments about others under any circumstances. Rather, Jesus seems to be trying to convey the notion that the character judgments people make about others should be based on principles and not bias/prejudice/delight in finding fault. In fact, when a person is in the hypercritical/judgmental mode, (s)he is actually substituting prejudice for true principles. For example, the hypercritical person does not wait until the facts are in. In fact, the hypercritical person does not really even attempt to seek out or care about the real facts --
My Grannie Carter's example/Jesus’ lesson also reminds me that love is more than mere “words” -- and is also more than a “feeling.” Rather, love is action, based on a sincere, kind, non-faultfinding attitude. In contrast, a person with a judgmental spirit not only has a fundamental attitude problem, but also has a problem with love/loving, e.g., has a lack of genuine, pure, unadulterated love in his/her heart. And, although people in general like to consider themselves as “loving” individuals, people with hypocritical spirits towards others (sadly) cannot really fully love others. Why are they unable to selflessly and genuinely love others? Well, if i look specifically at my Grannie Carter's example, it is because true, genuine (and Christ-like) “love” does NOT rejoice at other’s wrongdoings or weaknesses -- and, moreover, genuine love NEVER attaches conditions/strings for gaining and retaining that “love”...
The life of my beloved Grannie Carter, who chose to so closely embody Jesus' teachings/life, taught all who knew her about the fundamental truths in loving others. I am so fortunate and blessed to now remember/recall and (try to) selflessly embrace, and acknowledge these lessons today... She taught all of us who knew her the TRUE lessons in genuinely and selflessly loving others/your family. She died in 1989 at the age of 89. I truly miss her physical presence in my life -- although I am certain that she is watching over me and her other family members/friends as one of God’s chosen.........
# posted by Lawchick2005 @ 8:21 PM 
