You may have seen these heartfelt words of Robert E. Swan (Dave’s father) that grace our wall.

They are just too “rich” not to share again and again…

• First, I was born the eldest of a family of three to Frank and Alma Swan. When my brother was nine years old, we all had a bad case of scarlet fever and my brother, Russel, died. Dorothy and I grew up together on the farm. We weathered the Depression years of the 1930’s together. We were a close-knit family. What greater wealth can a person have than a close family?

• My joy has always been flowers and the other day I found a garden seed catalog I had made when I was about ten years old. It was amazing what I had in my catalog. Did I get rich selling seeds and flowers? No, but it was one of the richest things in my life. I still have two flower gardens and a small greenhouse which makes me feel rich.
• In 1936, I started leading 4-H clubs in the community and county. Those were rich experiences in my life. It was fun to help the students and to see them advance in their work. I gave thirty years of my life being leader and helping young 4-H’ers. Many have come back and thanked me for the opportunity of working with them. What a rich experience.
• I can’t say I had much education, but I did graduate from high school. That was a rich experience in itself.
• I volunteered for service in the United States Air Force. What a rich experience that was for me. I was never called overseas but the education and thrilling experiences I received were outstanding.
• I have never had enough money to go abroad but have been in every state of the union except Alaska. I also have crossed the border into Mexico and Canada.
• I don’t own an airplane, a yacht, or limousine but I have a 1982 Ford pickup and a 1990 Oldsmobile car, I am satisfied. My TV set isn’t a 64-inch screen, but I have a 29-inch set when I need it. I do not gamble unless you consider farming the biggest gamble in the world.
• I have a couple of nice suits and plenty of comfortable shirts plus forty or fifty giveaway caps, especially golf caps which make me look rich.
• I have five great grandchildren which we love dearly. They have made Delores and my life much richer; and without Delores, my wife, I feel I would have nothing.
• The grandchildren are able to achieve, and we are grateful for their achievements. How much richer can a person get?
• We may not have a new car or pickup, but we have a roof over our heads which cost about $35,000, thirty-five years ago. What more could you have?
• I don’t have a net worth that would put me on anyone’s list of the most wealthy, but we have property to fall back on so we will have no worries, no ulcers, no lawsuits, no sleepless nights, no IRS audits or any additions, instead I have a loving and wonderful wife who loves me more than I merit, who does not covet jewelry or crave the feel of rich clothes.
• I have had many health problems during the years, but the good Lord has always helped me through them. May He keep me in good health as I approach my eighty-eighth birthday. I’m ever so rich and thankful.
• I have loved all my years I have been farming and that is worth a fortune to me. So, I am rich. You bet I am, I am one of the richest persons in the world.