As Far As Value

Well my old 2002 Ford Ranger is gone, sold in a handshake deal to the man that worked on it most. “Grandma” as I called her was a good truck that hauled me and my family a many a mile. I hated getting rid of it, but it had become nothing more than a lawn declaration in the yard. Thinning out my list of personal possessions to a rack of oversized worn out clothes, a laptop computer given as a gift, and an aging smart TV. Even my smartphone has three payments left on it.

As far as value that is pretty much it. Not enough to pawn off and buy diapers and baby formula anymore. My oldest daughter was very upset with me about what I owed in predatory loans. With their high interest rate and fees. I guess I should take my tongue lashing like a shameful child. When it was me and her mother that pawned on wedding rings to feed and diaper her and her siblings all those years ago. In fact we have never worn wedding rings since then because of the shame and inadequacy.

So as we move into this new phase in our lives. A lot of the seemingly pointless mementos we collected are being tossed aside. To make way for what amounts to pretty much nothing. In a world that values wealth over satisfaction or peace of mind. But what good is peace of mind if you begging for bread? My grandma always said, “a poor ride is better than a proud walk.” Thinking about the many a night I drove that truck to work, for what? Is a bigger question than I am able to answer.