by Cory Kemp

Created on: July 24, 2008

Strolling up to the deli at my local grocery I didn't expect a conversation about the recession with the kind man plopping my tofu burger into its plastic take-out container. But that is what I got, an informed opinion about how the store was no longer carrying some items that hadn't been great sellers. Some of the clientele weren't pleased about these cost-cutting measures. According to my guy the store was maintaining, and that was about it. I mentioned that maintaining didn't seem like such a bad thing to me, but he only shot me a confused look, as if I didn't understand how dire the circumstances about which he spoke really were.

Checking my emails an hour or so later I bumped up against the bold statement that the Southern states are suffering the most impact from rising gas prices. Honestly, I didn't look further to discover the reason why. Reading more about these sorts of things doesn't make much sense when I can't control other people's car choices or driving habits. But I have heard rumblings from many folks that echo the deli counter attendant's belief that people feel they can't get ahead anymore, that they are treading water, maintaining, and don't see much hope of that changing any time soon. For the first time in our history we in the United States are looking at the real possibility that the next generation may not be economically better off than its predecessor.

It may be a good time to remind ourselves that money isn't everything, particularly since we live a very privileged life compared to most of the rest of the world. Economic increase, personally and nationally, has become our heritage, but also our obsession. Focusing so heavily on our needs for more does not bode well, no matter what spin we want to put on it.

But even in the midst of our recession-based angst there are a few things that remain stable and clear. One of those things is potty training.

I am not presently teaching, nor have I ever taught someone else how to manage toilet use, but I did speak with a woman at my local bookstore who was about to begin the process with her own child. She was looking for resources because he had shown signs of being ready to go for it. I stood in amazement before this serene, obviously capable woman, wondering aloud how one knew these mysterious things, let alone how to transfer such knowledge on to another human being. She said, simply, that children want to grow.

That's all there is too it, really. It isn't about profit margins, dividends,

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