Gifts

2019

I think I inherited my concern about money from my Mom. Maybe my Dad too. They began their life together during the Depression.  A box in the roll top desk in the living room held envelopes filled with dollar bills to pay the doctor, dentist, rent, groceries. It was my mother's way of keeping track of what was owed. Nothing ever became overdue or was purchased on credit. When they retired and moved to Leisure World in California, my sisters and I were concerned they might not be able to afford the costs and we agreed if help was needed, we would all chip in. That's when we found out they had saved several hundred thousand dollars. How they did that remains a mystery to me but then they rarely took vacations or bought new furniture or clothing.

What I never inherited was their frugality. I expected Steve to earn whatever we needed and I enjoyed buying new clothes, decorating at will, enjoying my leisure, traveling freely. At the same, I worried about what was in our savings and if we had enough for whatever might happen. I know those two items are contradictory, but when is anything simple? Anyhow, just a few months ago, I stopped caring about money in all forms. It's a new sense of freedom for me, manifested in two important ways.

For one, I booked a repeat cruise, one that I had taken with Steve that I loved. Thought about it for a day and paid for it the next. A little impulsive, but I'm pretty excited about that plan. Secondly, I have nine grandchildren who I love very much and who I often forget to send a birthday card or a Chanukah gift. Sometimes I send an Amazon card or a check, but that seems so impersonal. And I'm never on time, which disappoints me. Steve and I decided ages ago how to divide up the remains of our investments when we are both gone. But who knows when that will be? I hope not soon. And my grandchildren can use extra funds now, when they are planning their futures, graduating, starting new careers.

Which is why I made a decision to make monthly deposits into each of their accounts for the duration. That way, each month they will think of me and their Grandpa and do something enjoyable with it. As happy as this might make them feel, it can't compare to how wonderful it makes me feel!