The Gathering Place

My Tulsa walking buddy and I were going to walk around the subdivision where we walked for years previous to my move to Texas. But the brilliant idea came to, instead, walk at Tulsa’s new “Gathering Place”. We were taking on the new 70-acre, $465 million-to-build, world-class park we had heard about. We were pleasantly surprised that because it was a school day and a little cloudy with rain in the forecast that there were no crowds and we enjoyed every minute of our time there.

The "Gathering Place” began with the George Kaiser Family Foundation and an extraordinary dream to transform nearly 100 acres of Tulsa’s waterfront along the Arkansas River into an interactive, teaching and play environment. After years of planning, generous donations, input from the community and construction and building, Tulsa's dream became reality.

To try to explain in words the beauty and uniqueness of the park is impossible. You have to see it to believe it. By the way, the park is free. No charge. I was amazed. The landscaping and the water features are breathtaking and many decades-old trees were preserved. The trees removed during construction were recycled into play features and furniture in Adventure Playground. Those trees will continue to live on in the Park, with a new story to be told!. We felt like kids because we were told that anything we wanted to climb, ride, or slide down, we could. That was probably because there were few kids there that morning and because they probably wouldn’t appreciate “big girls” taking over their equipment. Imagination can run rampant on the big ship, the giant pelican slides, the climbing towers, zip line, playhouses, the skate and bike parks, the boating area (paddle boats and canoes), and ropes courses. I braved the ropes course with a long, winding slide at the end and heard a volunteer ask my friend “Do you think she realizes that she could slide pretty fast in there?” “Thanks, God for the info!”, I thought because I used my athletic shoes to slow me down or I would have flown out of there on my bottom, which would have been okay because of the spongy flooring all around.

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Tulsa businessman and billionaire, George Kaiser, made his money in business but has made his mark in Tulsa by his philanthropic endeavors and projects for many years. His countless contributions to Tulsa are extraordinary. George is the son of German refugees who fled Nazi Germany and settled in Tulsa. George eventually took over the family’s oil business. He said that his family’s gratitude for Tulsa taking them in as immigrants with open arms reinforced the obligation he had for helping others.

George has a special heart for children and the mission of the George Kaiser Foundation is to give every child an equal opportunity. His greatest satisfaction is making a difference in someone’s life who really didn’t have a chance as he had. George is known for his compassion and care for humanity. Now his biggest dream of all has unfolded. When asked what his greatest sense of pride is when he sees the kids coming to the park, he said, “It will be the kids and the shrieks of excitement about seeing something that they never thought they would be able to see. We hear kids say "I’ll never be able to go to Disneyland, and now I don’t have to. It’s right here" That gives me the greatest pleasure. For generations to come, people of all ages, from all walks of life and all parts of the city will come to the Gathering Place, hopefully realizing it was built just for them.”

“I had the advantage of both genetics and upbringing. As I looked around at those who did not have these advantages, it became clear to me that I had a moral obligation to direct my resources to help repair that inequity.” —George B. Kaiser

Why am I giving such a tribute to George Kaiser and other contributors for this outstanding one-of-a-kind park that will appeal to children of all ages for generations to come? It’s not George Kaiser, his wealth, his dream or the park. It is the spirit of generosity and thanksgiving that has guided their hearts to give back because they were so grateful for what they had been given. I applaud this man’s heart to give back, but it isn’t about wealth for any of us. I recall the story in the Bible of the widow’s mite – she gave what she had to give. Entering into this month of Thanksgiving, I am taken with this story because it took me to a place of showing gratitude for what I have by giving back and giving out of what I have. I am inspired. I want my legacy to also read “She gave of what she had to give.” How about you?
Check out Gathering Place at https://www.gatheringplace.org/

School Days Again

     Day 225 of Photo Inspirations -- School Days Again!

It's that time of year when kids are getting back to school or going to school for the first time. This photo inspiration from 40 years ago was my two kids' first day of school -- Staci's first year and Ryan's 3rd. Sweet memories, and, oh my, how time did fly!!

I've been seeing lots of mamas on Facebook who are either stoked that school is back in session or they're all emotional because their "babies" are headed to school for the first time. There are the Mamas who have a Senior in high school and they're teary-eyed because it's their last year. And there are the ones whose "baby" is headed to college. I love seeing how these mamas' friends are either comforting them and assuring them they'll get through all the emotions.....or the friends who believe "misery loves company" and they're crying right along with them. No question, it's a process of coming to grips with the cycle of life.

No matter what year or what grade they're in, these kids are embarking on a new stage in their lives. So many trails to blaze, so many new frontiers to discover and so many defining moments await them. In the meantime, my heart goes out to each of you young parents -- it's part of the process of giving our babies the freedom to grow up, to be strong and independent. Their trajectory is preset by God -- they are on course for so many great things and great days ahead. Taking one day at a time and one year at time.....makes the process easier. I pray comfort and God's peace to you all -- whatever stage of life YOU are in, and THEY are in. God's Master Plan is at work in you and your family.....and with His arms around you and them.....you'll see the joys, fun and the incredibly brilliant times of seeing your little darlings do so well on science and art projects, field trips, tests, homework and learning so many wonderful things. There are so many victories that await you and them. Your greatest assets are continuing to become more valuable each and every day.

Oh, how we thank God for the gift of children. I pray, Almighty God, that you watch over them as they start to school or go back to school this year. I pray You keep them safe. May these precious children realize You are right there with them in the classroom and on the playground. May they soak up good knowledge and may they be fully equipped to dismiss any negative or messages they may hear or see. Help them treat others with kindness and respect, and may their hearts be guarded with the armor of Your Word. I ask that You give them joy and peace as they put their trust in you. I pray that they "increase in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man" -- just like Jesus did. And I pray a special blessing over the teachers and school workers as they help impact all of these kids. And, dear God, please give all these precious Moms and Dad the fortitude and the strength to place their babies into your hands -- with full confidence that you are taking them to their destiny and purpose. Amen.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."