I inherited a FORTUNE!

Yes I did, not money but great memories and wonderful friends. Troup County was a great place to grow up in during the ’50s and ’60s.

Most of my dad’s friends and my dad had been in World War 2. It was “yes sir” or “no sir” from the start. We were taught that every penny counts. We were raised to make do with what you had. Sharpen the lawn mower blade and put it back on. Do a good job and do it right the first time. Your word really meant something … it was your bond.

Yes, I was blessed to learn what hard work was and that you were rewarded for your hard work. One of the things I remember most about my dad was that we always had a very large garden. We worked in it, then picked all the good food, Mom would work hard putting it in the freezer and we would ride around and give food to our city friends that did not have a garden. Dad had so much fun giving that away. Guess I learned to have fun giving from my dad.

My friends were special and a lot of us eat together the last Thursday in each month to this day at Captain’s Cove. We still care about each other, have gone to many funerals together and we still find time to laugh when Donald Henderson or Larry Smith (alias 007) tells a joke.

Wish some of y’all would come join us, it is all about fun. I know Ronnie Meacham takes credit for those wonderful cakes we have for the birthdays but everyone feels his wife, Dottie Meacham, made them. You know she does!!!!

There is a lot to be said for being raised in a small town. I get to see and eat with some of my friends from high school. My life has been great! We did not really know anyone with big money, but we all knew we were loved and all our friends were raised the same way.

Yes, I was and am still blessed to be raised as a rich man. What else could you ask for? If you do not see your friends very often this is my challenge to you, get on the phone or Facebook, look them up and say “hi” to an old friend.

If you do this, my friend, you will thank me, I PROMISE! Then you too will be a wealthy person.

Thank you. Everywhere I have gone people have thanked me for my article about saving and spending money with some will power and self-control. I really need more of that myself.

Sometimes if someone else says it you may get a son or daughter to think someone with wisdom said it. That is why I am always quoting Ben Franklin or Albert Einstein, maybe they will listen and do it. Thank you for your kind words.

“When angry, count to 10 before you speak; if very angry, count to 100.” — Thomas Jefferson