by Ethel Smith

Created on: May 16, 2007   Last Updated: May 18, 2007

You really need to experience a lack of money to fully appreciate it's importance. Thankfully I have never been really poor, by which I mean starving, living on the streets or hand to mouth. However I have never been wealthy either. Through my 55 years on this planet I have had some richer periods in my life and some poorer ones. I am only talking financially for the sake of this article, by the way.

So poorer times.

As a child I had loving parents who had to cope with many difficulties. I know almost everyone does but their's were often very significant. I will not dwell on things but suffice to say that money was always in short supply. Dad had health problems which meant he would be away from work sick for long periods of time. During these times his pay would dwindle to almost nothing. Even when he was at work his wage was not fantastic. I have some sad memories of childhood due to some of this but some very happy ones also. Despite the lack of money we never wanted for anything. Looking back though I realise that my parents probably did. My Dad would cycle across town on freezing cold mornings and then spend eight hours doing hard physical work before having to cycle home, just to make ends meet.

My parents only lived to be my age now, but if more money had been available life would have been sweeter for them. Also without all the financial stresses and strains they would probably have lived longer. Money does affect our health in more ways than one. My Mum did not walk till she was five years old as she had Rickets. Now that is an illness which poverty can bring, as it's down to the lack of certain vitamins, because of a poor diet. In 1917, when my Mum was born, no wealthy people suffered from that disease but plenty of ordinary children did.

So richer times.

I feel that I am blessed in comparison to many and back then. Sure we are not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination but we own our home, usually can afford a holiday, have fairly good health and also have a little spare cash. As an adult you realise the full importance of money. In England I pay about 300 pound a year to replace my spectacles due to my ever declining eyesight. Dental treatment can set you back any amount of money and often hundreds of pounds. We choose not to run a car and walk, bus or occasionally cycle instead. That's partially down to money but also a lifestyle choice.

We can afford to eat well and have some of life's luxuries, as can many Westerners these days. Money will not rectify everything. If you have a terminal illness money more than likely will not provide you with a cure. However you will be able to make provision for your dependents for when you are no longer around, have some comforts in your last months and may be able to get much better treatments.

To my mind money should not be your God. It should be a means to an end. It enables you to get much more out of life in every way. It won't however replace love, ever, for me or guarantee happiness.

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