Wakeup Call:
DollarIs Innocent
Do you recall the story about Aladdin’s Lamp from 1001 Nights? Rub the lamp and a genie appears and grants you anything you asked for. Wonderful. Happiness guaranteed.
In a way some people see the dollar bill like it’s Aladdin’s lamp. The difference is that instead of rubbing the dollar you collect as many bills as you can, preferably hundred-dollar bills or thousand-dollar bills. Then you could get anything you want to be happy.
In Aladdin’s case where once the number of wishes was limited, one could say, be carefulwhat you wish for. Correcting a past wish is such a waste. Many people do not know what they really need to be happy. The same could be said for those who concentrate on collecting as much money as they can. Do they know the effects of their wishes or their efforts to collect the needed dollars?
In my novel, Baggage burdens. Jill shows her greater happiness lies in going to Hawaii––not being in the presence of her husband or in making him happy. She doesn’t pick up on his surprise––Me working more evenings?or the frown showing he’s hurt or angry. The magic––more money, more happiness––is not real. Her wish, not the dollar, causes her grief.
Several minutes later she brings up their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary celebrations. Even though Joseph tells her that their holiday will leave them short of money she is willing to go into more debt. She evidently expects her husband can work longer for more money.Her valueis clear––love for her husband comes from his ability to earn more money not in her being with him. This love for money to buy happiness continues throughout her marriage and eventually causes a divorce.
The material needs are hers, not the dollar’s needs. The dollar is not guilty of blinding her to real happiness.
In two following passages the reader sees that the power of money is clearly not the problem in Jill’s marriage. Her focus to fulfill her own desires is the destructive element. Money is not to blame.
“You mean we can go!”
Jill can hardly believe she’s so easily won Joseph’s approval. She had prepared a list of several reasons why he should agree, at least to going to Disneyland.
“It is expensive, but I think I could save up enough money for the trip. If I’m short, I might have to take a few extra jobs in the winter, but I should be able to do it.”
“Of course, that’ll mean I won’t be home a few more evenings.”
“I can make a PowerPoint presentation for the kids or maybe burn the highlights of the trip on a DVD.”
Jill’s excitement prevents her from catching Joseph’s last words.
“You don’t mind?”
“Don’t mind what?”
“Me working more evenings?”
“Oh no. We’ll have a wonderful holiday.”
A frown momentarily crosses Joseph’s face. He turns around and goes to the cupboard for a glass of water. She can’t see his disappointment.
“Our twenty-fifth anniversary is coming up.”
“November 13, I know.”
“It’s kind of a super special time. I thought we might really celebrate the event.”
“Meaning what?”
“Have a big party here. We could invite Mary and Ed, Ann and Pete, Thomas and Rebecca, our pastor, some of the people from the Sunday school staff, and some from the drama club. I was wondering if you had someone else you might want to include from work.”
“How about a small, intimate gathering of family and close friends only?”
“You mean skip the Sunday school teachers and the people from the drama club?
“Yes. The spring holiday will wipe out our savings. I don’t want to add more expenses.”
“If we’re short of money, we could always use our line of credit to cover our celebration.”
Jill’s recommendation puts her on thin ice, but she really wants to invite everyone she identified.
“Twenty-five years of marriage is a major achievement. Don’t you want all our friends to know about it and join us in celebrating it?”
“I don’t want to go into debt unless it is an emergency. When we had the second mortgage, I felt like I had a noose around my neck. I had to work long days, weekends, and not get sick. One slip, and I was dead. I won’t have that again. If you want a big anniversary party, then we will have to give up the spring holiday. You choose. What’s more important?”
His stern response surprises her.
There’s little room for compromise.
It’s the first time she’s heard him take such a strong position.
haiku capsule:
unreal power
more cash, more happiness
our Aladdin’s lamp
Nextblog: B A C K B O N E
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