Little Red Piggybank

I have a little red piggy bank that lives in my studio

Since I don't work anymore, I don't have a steady stream of change

So I gather whatever I find lying around to feed little piggy

I tried putting a quarter in and to my surprise it hardly fit

I may have felt lack as I fed it; thinking I had nothing much to give

And yet, there he is...full to the brim

And it makes me wonder

How desperate I felt about not having a paying job

Wanting to take a peek at the job postings but knowing I couldn't apply

Feeling insignificant because I no longer had a paycheck or title behind my name

And yet, I had enough to fill little piggy

I'm obviously well-fed, still pay the ridiculous gas prices, etc.

And I remember a moment before my Mama became ill

that I said "all I want is not to feel useless"

That makes me laugh now...because in a matter of two months

I don't feel useless at all

I may no longer have a paycheck with little dollar signs

and some professional looking logo in the corner

but it turns out that I'm being paid in a different manner

I'm amused to see this frail little woman who with a smile

issues orders like an experienced drill sergeant

I listened one morning as she called each of my siblings

Giving each of them the same grocery list

As she hung up I moaned that they would think I wasn't feeding her

She shushed me telling me that they were never too old to learn

That you never arrive empty handed when you visit someone who is ill

They arrived on separate days with bags of groceries and pre cooked meals

Even received a fruit basket from family in New Mexico

I'm in food heaven

And it reminds me how throughout my life she has always told me

never to worry about money because things have a way of working out

I figure she's a reliable source since she never had shoes growing up

But although I know how important money is, I am just realizing

that there's something much deeper and more valuable than dollar signs

Family, friends, spirituality...humanity

I have a new title behind my name

Nurse assistant, chauffeur, housekeeper, waitress, accountant, insurance bully

And that's just for my Mama

turns out I'm also a dreamer, an explorer, a wanderer

a sister, a daughter, a cousin, a friend

All so much more than would ever fit on a paper paycheck

And contributes to my overflowing piggy

I learned alot since I quit work a few years ago and started My Quest

Turns out I've learned a helluva lot more since the Mama's illness

I'm feeling pretty damned rich

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An amusing thing happened yesterday

Our air conditioner/heater system went out last week

The service man came, inspected, and with glum face said it needed parts

Rough estimate $600 plus labor

I gulped but knew we needed it

He returned with his boss yesterday to repair the unit

I told my Mama I hope it doesn't exceed $600 and she said not to worry

They worked for an hour and a half; I peeked on and off

I heard the unit go on and gave a little cheer

Hearing the approaching footsteps I braced myself for the final tally

He handed me a bill for $86

He says it turns out it was something else, he fixed it, cleaned it

We're set to go

My Mama smiled as she said "You see..."
But I was more amazed that he didn't pretend to install the parts
And charge us the full price anyway
Honesty

And it was like another coin in the piggy