“We’re rich!”

It took a split second for me to realize that only an 9 year old can look at a stack of one dollar bills ($10 worth to be exact) and make such a bold statement. I really hated to deflate my 9 year old’s view of wealth and so, I told him that we were in fact rich, just probably not quite like he thought. I must admit though that saying it with a straight face was perhaps the hardest thing I had ever done. Sure, we make good money and have some cool toys but rich…HA…that’s rich!

As I took my seat on the train, my mind replayed the morning, including Paris’ pronouncement of wealth that only he could see. As the wheels of the train interlocked with my brain in this weird harmony, I began to realize that maybe, just maybe, Paris wasn’t so far off.

Certainly, by the standards of most countries, we are wealthy beyond imagination. Heck, even looking at the median household income for a family of three here in the State of California makes me wonder why we aren’t living in Bel Air. But, if I’m really being honest, we are like most Americans; living paycheck to paycheck; praying to God that we aren’t hit with an unexpected expense that will knock the legs out from under us.

Stewing over our finances brought me to the quick, and stark, revelation that we were definately NOT rich (new pool table in Paris’ room not withstanding). I was just about to turn the corner in my mind when it hit me

“We’re rich!”

If I had been standing up, I probably would have quickly needed to find a seat. “Rich?!” Whatever! But wait, could it be? What are riches anyway? The more I thought, the more I realized that finances notwithstanding, we are loaded with riches! Riches that cannot even began to be counted by looking at my bank balance. The riches of love; of life; of a [relatively] sound mind; of family and friends; of a support network that just won’t quit. Heck, we’ve got those in abundance!

As I thought about what it means to be truly rich, in the back of my mind, I began to hear the voice of Ray Charles performing that great old song Side by Side with Betty Carter:

Oh, we ain’t got a barrel of money,
Maybe we’re ragged and funny;
But we’ll travel along, singin’ a song,
Side by side.

Don’t know what’s comin’ tomorrow,
Maybe it’s trouble and sorrow;
But we’ll travel the road, sharin’ our load,
Side by Side.

Through all kinds of weather,
What if the sky should fall; but
As long as we’re together,
It doesn’t matter at all.

When they’ve all had their quarrels and parted,
We’ll be the same as we started;
Just travelin’ along, singin’ a song,
Side by Side.

I realized this morning that true riches are often overlooked in our quest for cash. Having your child tell you he loves you just because has to be one of the greatest riches a man could ask for. Loving that special someone in your life, and having them love you back…through thick and thin…that counts for a whole lot of wealth! Parents who love you, respect you, support you…man, that’s some bank! Couple those with siblings and friends who provide community, continuity, love, support, friendship and heck, I’m suddenly feeling like Bill Gates.

Paris was absolutely right! We are rich!

Tomorrow, at whatever table you find yourself seated, take a moment to look around you and remind yourself, like Paris reminded me,  just how rich you really are!!

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

j.

~ by Jonathan on November 21, 2007.