I just watched for the 3rd time the Oscar award-winning movie No Country For Old Men. The first time I watched the movie I have to be honest I didn’t really “get it.” it was beautifully done and the cinematography of the raw desolate West Texas land was amazing. The story had violence, unpredictability and a crazy ending. Nevertheless, after watching it I didn’t immediately think this is going to win best picture of the year! However, watching it again I could appreciate the message. The key theme throughout the movie was we can never predict when the grim reaper is going to get us! Plus, the things that we worry about in life are usually not the things we should worry about.
The movie kind of just sits with you. After watching, I had that gnawing feeling that even though I don’t feel like today is the day I’m going to die, it could be the day I’m going to die and I’m not really that prepared for it! Unfortunately, we don’t get to control or choose when or how we are going to die. I think we can all agree that in 99% of the suicide cases it’s a tragic case of someone taking a temporary problem and coming up with a permanent solution. Now there are some circumstances when one has a terminal, debilitating disease that choosing how to die actually makes a lot of sense. In fact, my Wife and I have a living will so that we cannot be kept artificially alive just so our children don’t have to make that tough decision for us. So the question is, if this is a blog about buying and selling land why am i discussing the morbid and often ignored subject of death?
As a landowner, I want to leave something permanent for my family for generations to come. If i leave them money, they will spend it. If i leave them “stuff”, it will either complicate their life trying to maintain that stuff or the stuff will eventually become obsolete or simply wear out. The only thing in my life that is going to last is the raw land that I have acquired. My land has beautiful views, fresh air and symbolizes to my family a core value– we are here for but a short time so take risks, be extraordinary and own something that will last forever! Don’t sell this land my children, use it, improve it, enjoy it, but don’t sell it! It will out live you and your children and their children and it is the one possession that you can be proud to own! I really hope my kids listen to me!
