Did you know you can make a pretty effective hairspray out of the right mixture of sugar and water? Just be careful to avoid ants and long blessings given by warm handed elders. I bet you didn't know that if you get T.P.ed that that toilet paper will last a family of 7 for weeks on end. And were you aware that the first one to drink a newly made gallon of powdered milk will get a cup full of mostly froth or that syrup made with Mapleine is much better served cold?
Family finances were a little tight in my youth. We drove an oversized, previously used by a scout troop, cobalt van. It was exhilarating watching the road through the rotted out metal under the gas petal. My brother found the ripped, sagging roof extremely helpful in concealing his contraband each July from law abiding adults.
"We'll pay for the clothes, you can pay for the brand," was my parents mantra. My youngest brother decided to forget the name brands. He purchased his clothes at D.I. and spent the remaining money on a ping pong table. He was voted Student Body President, a clear indicator that ping pong is more important than style.
They say that money can't buy happiness. That may be true but money can buy peace of mind, and doesn't peace of mind play a large role in ones happiness?
I saw an older couple driving a brown, dilapidated van that looked like it had been brought back to life with mouth to mouth resuscitation one too many times. I felt sad for them. My parents are driving a nice enough car now that my dad won't allow food in it. His earning power has increased over time and struggles from the early years now make for good stories over Sunday dinner. Some people don't get to the funny. Some people work hard their whole lives and never get to enjoy the peace that money in ones pocket can bring.
This morning I pulled up the election results. There were a couple of candidates who had gotten an embarrassingly low number of votes. Their names weren't familiar to me, they hadn't been pasted on every street corner for the past 6 weeks. Whose to say they wouldn't have served our city well? Money. They obviously didn't have the thousands it takes to run a successful campaign. Too bad for them. Too bad for us.
I wish everyone could experience the "have" and "have not" of life.
I wish everyone could end on the "have."
Just enough to pay medical bills, utilities, buy fresh produce and education.
Just enough to buy peace of mind so one could focus their daily efforts on something besides survival.
If I were rich I would buy that elderly couple a reliable mini van, I would post the underdogs names on the biggest marquis and I would make sure that everyone used double ply when toilet papering.
4 comments:
Amen!
And even though we are in the "have" category, I still drive an old, worn-out Explorer. It's ugly and not very comfortable, but I will drive it until it dies or I do.
I think we are all feeling the "pinch" lately. But when it comes down to it... we are all lucky to have a family to drive around with in that old brown van. thanks for the wonderful insight.
I think you should run for a public office.
I love this post. Sounds like we had very similar upbringings! This is my favorite part, though: I wish everyone could experience the "have" and "have not" of life. I wish everyone could end on the "have."
Lovely.
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