I'M REALLY RICH!

I’M REALLY RICH!

                                                                                    By:  Carole Blake

According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word “rich” means “owning much money or property; having abundant possessions; wealthy”. Now over the years, I’ve had lots of money…not so much money…not enough money…you get the picture. At this point in my life I don’t have to worry about money, so I feel very lucky about that.

“Rich” is also defined as “well endowed; magnificently impressive”. OK…in all honesty I must say that in my life men have found me attractive (at least my husband says he does), but…I am certainly NOT well endowed! Hey…that’s a RICH one! (a sarcastic phrase meaning whatever was just said has amused you!)

“Rich” in experience implies “having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires”, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have had wonderful parents…a fantastic husband…terrific children and grandchildren. And the fact that I’m a writer – with hundreds of songs and articles to my credit – is as gratifying as it gets!

Now I want to talk about a very specific part of my life which has become quite important to me. A little over ten years ago I decided that I would like to volunteer as a mentor to children who might need a bit of help. I contacted a Long Island mentoring organization, and in no time they connected me to an elementary school where many of the students – from poor economic circumstances – could use some assistance. The social worker there set me up with a little girl in third grade whom she thought I could help. It was a wonderful experience. We met once a week after school, and we worked on her homework; I taught her word games; we talked about life and friendship; and it was all good. The next year her younger sister attended the school as well, and so she joined us in all our meetings. When the two girls graduated to the middle school, I started all over again with a new little girl. And when she graduated, there was another. Finally, last year, I met sisters Natasha (Fifth Grade) and Anjelica (Third Grade), and although the after-school programs had been cut due to the economy, my special relationship with the social worker enabled me to meet with them one day a week in the school library during their lunch period. It was truly magical. After some time – and after getting explicit permission from their parents – we also got together after school. I would pick them up at their home during a weekend or a school holiday, and we would go to a museum…or we’d go swimming in my community pool…and sometimes my husband and I would take them to a great Japanese Hibachi restaurant for dinner. They loved it!

This year Natasha is in the middle school, so it was just Anjelica and me. A few months ago Anjelica suggested that her friend Jancy join us in our Thursday lunch sessions, and after more permission slips, she did. I bring them little apple juice boxes, pears or apples (we love comparing Green, Macintosh, Delicious, Granny Smith, etc.), and pretzels. I was out-of-town on vacation the week of Valentine’s Day, but when I arrived the next week, they presented me with a big shopping bag. I said, “What’s this?” And they said with smiles, “It’s a Valentimes gift for you!” I looked in the bag and saw an adorable mini-stuffed animal holding a big red heart which had the words “I love you” written on it. They both said, “We missed you on Valentimes Day…and you always bring us stuff…so we wanted to give something to you!” They had each written me a little note telling me how much they “love me and upreceated (appreciated) me”. (I think we’ll work on spelling next time!)

I was touched beyond words. How very sweet they were! What a happy “Valentimes Day”…and after removing the two letters they had written to me…I noticed that a single dollar bill was in the shopping bag. I immediately said, “Girls…I think maybe someone dropped this in the bag by accident…and I held out the dollar to them. They both said, “No…that’s part of your gift from us!!”

So…that’s why…I’M REALLY RICH!!!!