The family unit is comprised of three elements:
1. There is the face of heredity;
2. the upcoming challenges of our youth;
3. and the final certainty that we'll do it again.
Once mastered, the family link only provides love, guidance, and support. Without these, our youth may struggle or contemplate how to escape the family. I was one of these youth, and when my turn came, I packed up my little 1984 VW Rabit with all of my precious belongings and moved north to attend college. Before I returned, my grandparents had passed away. However, it didn't mean their legacy was lost.
In the cool hours of the morning, on a warm spring day, and while quietly meditating in bed, I felt the presence of my grandfather, who had passed away more than ten years ago. Seeing his snuggly face, I reached out to hug him and kiss him on the cheek. My grandfather had always been my financial advisor and auto mechanic. I was looking for a new car and suddenly realized I wanted his advice.
This is what I heard my grandfather say, "Never mind all the fancy bells and whistles. That's where they've got you! The next time you want a car, find one with the best gas mileage, lowest accrued miles on it, and the least amount of "extras" you'll need to fix later when it breaks. You know better than to be fooled by the fancy extras!"
I've spent the majority of my life being practical. It was so practical, in fact, that I practically ran out of decent clothing to wear and a dryer to dry my clothing in. Practicality is important, and being prudent with money is wise; however, life is also about having a little fun. And, who is to say I'd be terribly bothered by a few extras when I find joy in them? My grandfather may not agree with me, and if his hand was involved, he would probably steer me towards the most economical car available beneath my price range.
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