What is Your Wealth?

Recently Public Radio asked the question “What is wealth?” As I thought about my answer, I decided that I am quite rich. I live in a safe place. It is warm. I have reasonably good health, delightful relatives, and wonderfully good friends. I have enough money to pay my bills and to treat myself occasionally. I have been blessed to meet, know, and work with many great people throughout the years. I feel that at least some of my actions have been helpful to others. Yes, I am rich.

Then, last night, shortly before I went to bed, the phone rang. The caller ID was a number I didn’t recognize, but I answered anyway. It was a young man who had been released from prison several months ago. Years ago he had asked me to write to him, and we had kept up a correspondence, albeit irregular. I knew he had been released, but had had no way to contact him, so I was pleased when he identified himself. He hasn’t found a job yet, but he is trying. Do you know what he said? “Thanks for all you did for me while I was in prison.” My reply was that I had only written to him. His reply to that was that that had been enough.

Yes, something tells me my life is full of wealth. Proof is not always in fancy packaging or on a grand scale, but it shows up when I least expect it…and it is I who am grateful. I have been blessed.