What I have learned in the down economy.

In this down economy I have learned that all of those THINGS that I used to think I had to have are, after all, just things. Things can be taken from you in an instant. One day you can have all of the things you ever wanted and the next they can all be gone.
In taking personal stock of the situation, I have realized that the things that money can’t buy are the things that are really important. When I look around my world, I am surrounded by the deep love of seven children and four grandchildren, 2 extraordinary sisters, a passel of nieces and nephews, a great aunt, brothers-in-law and a son-in law. I have wonderful friends, some of whom I have known since I was very young. I have the respect of my peers. I was blessed with a great brain and an endless thirst for more knowledge. I have traveled the world, flown on the Concorde, crossed the Panama Canal, learned to speak Spanish and Italian,  have no fear of public speaking, love my profession,  personally cared for both my parents until the day they each died at home, have helped make the difference in a family of six, have taught my children and grandchildren a slew of board and card games, have a piece of the Berlin wall, have seen the Whirling Dirvishes and ridden a camel. I have truly had an extraordinary life. While the majority of the things may have disappeared, the memories of of a life fulfilled is the greatest gift of all.  No one can take my intelligence or break my spirit. I am the eternal optomist and a big dreamer. Oh yes, I can have those things again and I will  have the ones I really want, but this time will be different.  I will have an appreciation of the real price I am paying to have those things. I know one thing for sure, those things can never replace the priceless gifts life has given me.