by Margi Bettelyoun

Created on: August 11, 2009

Things of Value Not Bought in a Store

It is widely believed that our country is completely materialistic. The thought is that Americans only value what they can buy. While this might be true of many people, there are still a few of us left who value other things, things you cannot buy in a store. This characteristic was probably the foundation of the country, the founding fathers fought for freedom of religion and other values that you cannot put a dollar amount on.

The thing most people value is their family. Although families do cost a lot of money, they cannot be bought. Families define us. They tell us and the rest of the world who we are, what we are, and why we are important. What would any of us be without our families? Even though we might fight, argue, disown each other from time to time, we are our family and they are us. How could anyone put a dollar amount on all that joy and grief?

Another thing of value that most people underestimate is your health. Without your health, your life is strictly limited. And like families, health does cost a lot of money. But then again, how can you put a dollar amount on the feeling of jumping out of bed in the morning feeling like you can conquer your little corner of the world?

The other thing of value I would like to discuss is something that I feel has lost value in the last few years. It is friends and neighbors. If we placed more value on these special people we wouldn't need so many therapists and psychiatrists. As a young child I was taught a little poem about friends: Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver, the other gold. Friends and neighbors can be treasures but they cannot be bought in a store. A bad neighbor can make your life miserable but a good neighbor can watch your house when you're gone, baby-sit your kids and pets, listen to your problems and celebrate your victories. As long as you have a friend in the world you are never alone.

So while the rest of the country may revel in their houses, cars, clothes and stuff, I will live in peace with these things that I value; my family, my health, and my friends and neighbors. No amount of money can buy them but yet they are mine. You cannot go to Wal-Mart and shop for them because they are one of a kind and only I have them. I don't have to work like a dog to earn them but I do have to earn them. My family is stuck with me just as I am stuck with them. But I do have to earn their respect. It is a daily battle to take care of my health. But I do fight the fight. My friends and neighbors are kept by constant tender loving care Working for something and appreciating it will make it valuable whether it is bought in a store or in your heart.

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