Sunday, December 1, 2013

We Don't Have a Money Tree



December 1, 2013

My client’s nine year old great grandson was making a lengthy Christmas list. His mother glanced over his shoulder at the items he rapidly scratched-out on the paper.  “Wow, those are expensive gifts. You know we can’t afford to buy you all of those things,” she insists. “Oh, then we can ask Grandma B to buy them for me,” he decided. His mom shot back “No, Grandma B doesn’t have that kind of money either!” “Haven’t you ever heard of a credit card?” he flung back at her. “Then you don’t have to pay for it now.” Got that right.

Cyber Monday tomorrow. Heard there is a chance to purchase inexpensive flights to Chicago so my daughter can go to the Turkish Consulate to get her VISA for the coming Spring Semester abroad. I can’t keep track of all these new holidays. They fly past and I live, unaware, in the dark recesses with the other non-shoppers.

I saunter down infamous Summit Avenue with the mansions in the backdrop, crisscross through alleys, just beyond the gorgeous homes, admiring Christmas decorations and well-tended lawns. My mind wanders to the lifestyle “they” lead. I laugh, chortle, giggle and nearly choke in the absurdity of my thoughts. I honestly do not have a clue how “they” live, what their income levels are, how much they dole-out for utilities, placing the angel statues on the rooftop, lawn care, shoveling services, what kind of food “they” eat, how they keep themselves entertained etc.

I suspect I have the wrong idea about “them.” Or perhaps not. It is a perspective (that I know what goes on behind closed doors) I am shifting, about me, them, and all in between. I simply enjoy what “they” have to offer me-a joyful passage witnessing the comfort of their homes, in all their glory.

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