PANNING FOR GOLD
By Therese M. Guy

“Aren’t you horrified?” My friend asked me the other day, referring to the state of the economy.
“ I’m a little nervous,” I said, “cause I run a leisure based business and that is sometimes the first to be let go when people are cutting back.”
“Only a little?” She replied, panic edging her voice. I guess when someone is panicked they fell better if they can spread that fear so she continued on that track.
“A friend of mine was laid off his job and lost his home the other day.”
Been there, I thought.
“Another friend lost his retirement and might have to declare bankruptcy!”
Done that, another silent reverie.
“We are going to have to cut back on our Christmas giving.”
“Horrors!” I thought sarcastically. Opps, I accidentally said that out loud. My friend took the rather obvious hint and changed the subject. Later that night I replayed our conversation in my head, and thought, why am I not as panicked?
One answer is I have already survived my husband’s disability and loss of income, loss of a home, and sparse holidays and survived. Some of my best memories were of Christmases that required very little to enjoy.
One Christmas I spent with my sister on an Indian reservation in Northern Minnesota.
Things were tight for my sister. We had no money for fancy decorations. Out comes the string and on goes the popcorn on the stove. Well, my sister was so poor; she had the pan but no lid. So when the popcorn began to pop it was flying all over the kitchen. We chased after the flying popcorn catching it in our bowls, laughing the whole time. We trimmed the tree with popcorn and cranberries and paper chains. Okay, some of the popcorn went in our mouths but the point is we did not need fancy trimmings to enjoy each other.
My other thought was that man has always been attracted to owning stuff. Maybe for those who believe in evolution we are really descended from the pack rat!
This summer at my family reunion the theme was western. We played all sorts of western competitions; wagon train races, stick horse races, fastest squirt gun draw, and panning for gold. During the panning for gold game we were divided into teams and had to run down to a pool filled with; water, sand, and rocks painted like gold nuggets. We picked up a sorting pan and sifted out the gold nuggets and ran back to our team to fill a jar waiting there. The first ones to fill their jar won. As I contemplated this game that emulated life with acquisitions, I realized how rich I really was. No, there were no real gold nuggets in the pool, but I had family that took time out of their lives to be together and play. Wow, I knew I had plenty of friends who were not that rich.
So how do you survive hard economic times? First look at the brighter side of hardship. I know if gas goes up again and I have to walk to work I might lose a few pounds and I don’t even have to go to an expensive gym. I know if I cannot afford to go out on the town I can invite a few friends over for a potluck, because all contributing to a nice dinner is cheaper. Finally, hugs are free and they make you feel so good!!!!!