A wealth that I will never know

I perusing the pictures of an acquaintance of mine on Facebook.  This lady is a lovely lady; I worked for her briefly years ago, and babysat her son when he was little.  She and her husband had a gorgeous home in downtown Philadelphia, and she is gracious and funny and smart.  Because of her husband's job, they moved to another major metropolitan area on the East Coast, and they now also have a beautiful daughter.  They have a summer home and they travel a lot.

Terry and I have friends that we would consider wealthy.  A couple of Terry's friends are millionaires, and they have more than one large home, and nice cars, and all that cool stuff.  They've never had to worry about paying bills or having their utilities shut off; I'm sure that paying the babysitter was never an issue, and they've dined in many fine restaurants.  But this lady and her family that I know, theirs is a wealth that is a step above.

I realized this when I was looking at her pictures.  There was a picture of her son with someone who is quite well-known around the world for his entrepreneurial skills and business acumen.  He is a Renaissance Man.  This lady and her family were staying at the resort that this man built - I don't know if they are friends with him, but it wouldn't surprise me.  Her son and this man seem quite at ease and comfortable with each other in the photo.

It got me to thinking.  What would I do with the wealth that Renaissance Man has?  What would I do with the wealth that the lady I know has?  Would I be different?  I know I wouldn't work, at least not in any regular sense of the word.  Where would I live?  I could have more than one house - I would definitely have to have a house in Paris, and one on an ocean somewhere, preferably somewhere warm.  Terry could have all the guitars and amps he wanted and a state-of-the-art recording studio.  Susannah would go to the best schools.  I would take care of my dad and my brother and Terry's relatives so that no one would ever have to worry about paying bills.  I'd help my friends.  It's like when we fantasize about winning the lottery.  It's that distant, and that unlikely, and just a pleasant dream that will likely never come true.

There is so much stress that is caused by not having money.  I wonder, when you DO have money, where does the stress come from then?  I know money doesn't solve all problems, but it certainly helps with a lot of them.

Would I still want a garden?  Would I hire a maid and a cook?  What would I do with my time when Susannah was in school?  Oddly enough, I think I would become a yoga teacher, which is what the lady has done, and that's pretty cool.  Would I still spin yarn and crochet blankets?  Would I develop a taste for expensive wine?  Would I get Botox?  (Trust me, I've considered it.  I don't like this aging nonsense at all.)

What would I keep that I currently own?  Would I buy a fancy car?  I would definitely get some dogs, and I'd walk them myself.  I'd keep the old copper watering cans that my mother collected.  I'd keep the turquoise ring made by the Native Americans in New Mexico that Terry gave me for our anniversary.  I'd keep my yarn and my spinning wheels and my books and my pictures.  Maybe I'd pursue art full-time, in some fashion.  But the only real artist I know is my friend Amy.  She can draw a picture of a crumpled candy wrapper, and it is beautiful and awe-inspiring.  I do pleasant watercolors that would probably match one of the rooms in your house - nice to look at, not all that original.  I admire originality.

So many questions, so few answers.  But that's okay.  It's fun to dream.  I wouldn't mind a free stay at Renaissance Man's tropical resort though. He could invest in the S.D.R.F. (Sally Debt Relief Fund). It's totally a worthy cause. ;o)


I have to admit, I've got a good life.  I have a roof over my head and food in my belly and a job, and a husband and a daughter who I love more than life itself, and I have my health.  I don't have much material wealth, but I sure do have a lot of life wealth, and for that I am grateful.