FSS #5- For Richer or Poorer

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This week’s Story Starter teaser is:
Sometimes it hard to know the difference between...

a poor person and a rich one.”, Monty pondered as their Jeep slowed and stopped.
Immediately, 15 children came running all smiles and giggles to where he was.
He handed out lollipops to scrambling hands and squeals as he approached the main hut in the remote village. It was the only structure that had survived the brush fire unscathed.
The chieftain rose and extended his hand when he entered. His smile and body language was welcoming and warm.
Outside, the kids were now chasing a crudely sewn ball of fur with a stick and laughing. Two days before, a brush fire had nearly wiped them out.
Everyone stopped and cheered. Monty stepped into the beating sun as three men guided their 4 cows back into the village square. All had survived!
Moments later, several men were spotted carrying large bundles of sticks on their backs for new hut building, and repair, prompting another round of cheers that inspired a native dance party.
Monty suddenly had a flash back to the University riot he witnessed just before traveling abroad. A mob of students had broken all the classroom windows in a building where a biology professor had stated, “There’s only two genders.” . That professor barely escaped with his life under the mayhem, anger, and tears of outrage! Bricks were thrown by miserably unhappy students, who paid $60,000.00 a year to have the opportunity to be there, while claiming to be ‘oppressed’ and ‘endangered’ by mere words.
Monty was awakened back to reality when he felt a tug on his pant leg and looked into the eyes of a giggling, nearly toothless, 5 year old who was inviting him to join their dance. He decided exactly then, that wealth had not a THING to do with money.


Fandango’s Story Starter #5 – This, That, and The Other (fivedotoh.com)

That Selfish 1%…a reminder.

I found this photo and story on Facebook. As I have had politics on my mind lately, I’ll dare to make another controversial statement. Actually, I want this to be food for thought when you hear any comment started with “That 1%…”.

Denzel Washington recently visited the Brooks Army Medical Center (BAMC) in Antonio, Texas. He was introduced to recovering soldiers and made aware of what is called Fisher Houses. They are the military equivalent of Ronald Mac Donald Houses, housing families of the injured soldiers for little or no cost while they recover from wounds in the battlefields. He asked how much a Fisher House cost and made out a check for the full amount right on the spot.

Not only does the rich 1% reinvest in America and pay the largest portion of our tax bill, they donate on the side.(I don’t care if donations can become deductions.) I fear that they are becoming vilified in the recent political climate. Wonder why the TV media did not report this? Hmmmmmm.

Way to go Mr. Washington! I salute you. We all thank-you.

The Wealth of Family

“I wonder what the poor people are doing?”

I remember my father saying this when I was a child on a family vacation. My mom probably said it too but I remember my dad saying it. When I was a kid, I thought it was a statement about monetary wealth. I’m sure it was a bit because, while on vacation, we could eat at restaurants and stay in a cabin on a lake. During the year we did not eat out and conserved because we were not, after all , rich. On this particular vacation, my grandpa and grandma (mom’s parents) were with us. My dad and grandpa were sipping on Manhattans and laughing as we ordered dinner at a restaurant. I can still see us all sitting around the table, my younger siblings fidgeting and playing with their napkins. My mom, shoulder to shoulder with her mom whispering  what I now assume were those common jokes about men just being “big kids” when they get together. The whole world was safe and friendly, right then and there. You’ve heard about time standing still, it did,and my mind took a snapshot. The edges are worn now but I still have it when ever I want to feel warm.

“I wonder what the poor people are doing?”