I'm Stepping On A Soapbox

Today, as I was leaving work, I noticed a bumper sticker on one of those gas-guzzling SUVs that proudly stated: “Baylor Dad.” I immediately thought, “Who cares?” It’s not like the “Baylor Son” gives a hoot that his dad has that sticker on his vehicle. It was purely a boastful expression of the dad that prompted him to display such a sign on his vehicle. I’ve seen several similar bumper stickers, such as “My child is on the honor roll at fill in the blank school” and those really make me want to gag.

As one who writes daily on a personal blog, it would seem that I’m being hypocritical to say “Who cares?” but that’s not it at all. My blog is for my friends and family to be entertained and for me to keep in touch with them. Fortunately, I’ve made some wonderful friends through my blog, too, and I’m happy when I learn that anyone is actually reading “Aunt Vanessa,” but that’s another story. My observation is that I am disgusted with the fact that bragging and revealing one’s financial status has become the norm in this society. Whatever happened to being humble and valuing one’s privacy? Just last night I was talking to a much-younger friend who mentioned that her age group has no problem telling anyone what their salaries are and how much money they owe! My contemporaries have never discussed those issues, nor have my family. I don’t know how much money my brothers make, nor do I care. Some things are simply no one’s business.

It is not my intention to appear as if I have a chip on my shoulder. I don’t. If you are filthy rich, then good for you. I hope you’re happy. If, however, you drive a fifty-thousand-dollar car and have a huge mortgage that keeps you from buying milk, then shame on you.

As I get older, I realize that material things are not as important. Nor is impressing anyone with my acquisitions, which I don’t have anyway! When I exit this world, I will leave a lot of books and scrapbooks of my travels, and probably a couple of dogs and cats. I will also leave my love for my family and the hope that they are not caught up in the rat race I see every single day.