Homes Sweet Homes
So we had the big birthday party for my son yesterday. George Clooney, Bruce Willis, Mark Wahlberg, Lance Armstrong, Matthew McConaughey, and Jake Gyllenhaal were all in town.
There should be a very long pause between those two sentences. Yes, we had my son's birthday. Yes, those rich and famous celebrities were buzzing around my North Idaho lake town this past week. But none of them showed up at my house to roast marshmallows or jump on the bouncer (Bruce, you could've at least called to say happy birthday!).
The stars were here for various reasons, but most of them were shopping for luxury homes and condos in a new lakefront development. They aren't coming to Idaho to take up permanent residence. At best, these guys will spend a couple of weeks each summer in their new million-dollar mansions.
That's what you do when you're rich. You collect houses. I imagine some of these stars have so many homes around the world that they have to consult with their business managers before they travel: "Hey Sid, I'm flying up to Idaho next week. I forget, do I have a house there?"
My son's trying to wrap his mind around the concept of one person owning dozens of houses, while others work hard to simply maintain one. I've told him that money changes the rules for people. The rich live in another world altogether, one that us regular folks can't really understand from the outside looking in.
The best way I can explain it to him is that when you become filthy rich, with untold millions, the idea of buying a house becomes no more important or problematic than when we are picking out cereal at the grocery store.
I wish I lived in a world where teachers and nurses could buy summer retreats on the lake, but we don't. Rather than rail against a society that showers money upon actors and athletes, I simply accept that's the way things are. I teach my kids to be thankful for what they have rather than lust after someone else's belongings or lifestyle.
Bruce, Lance, Mark, et al... Enjoy your new homes here in North Idaho. It's a magical place. I get to live here year-round, and for that I am very thankful. Hey guys, next year come by for a piece of birthday cake!
There should be a very long pause between those two sentences. Yes, we had my son's birthday. Yes, those rich and famous celebrities were buzzing around my North Idaho lake town this past week. But none of them showed up at my house to roast marshmallows or jump on the bouncer (Bruce, you could've at least called to say happy birthday!).
The stars were here for various reasons, but most of them were shopping for luxury homes and condos in a new lakefront development. They aren't coming to Idaho to take up permanent residence. At best, these guys will spend a couple of weeks each summer in their new million-dollar mansions.
That's what you do when you're rich. You collect houses. I imagine some of these stars have so many homes around the world that they have to consult with their business managers before they travel: "Hey Sid, I'm flying up to Idaho next week. I forget, do I have a house there?"
My son's trying to wrap his mind around the concept of one person owning dozens of houses, while others work hard to simply maintain one. I've told him that money changes the rules for people. The rich live in another world altogether, one that us regular folks can't really understand from the outside looking in.
The best way I can explain it to him is that when you become filthy rich, with untold millions, the idea of buying a house becomes no more important or problematic than when we are picking out cereal at the grocery store.
I wish I lived in a world where teachers and nurses could buy summer retreats on the lake, but we don't. Rather than rail against a society that showers money upon actors and athletes, I simply accept that's the way things are. I teach my kids to be thankful for what they have rather than lust after someone else's belongings or lifestyle.
Bruce, Lance, Mark, et al... Enjoy your new homes here in North Idaho. It's a magical place. I get to live here year-round, and for that I am very thankful. Hey guys, next year come by for a piece of birthday cake!
Permalink posted by Idaho Dad at 12:12 AM
8 Comments:
Since taking on my new job in Chicago, I've been exposed to many (unfamous) rich people and your descriptions are apt. To make matters worse, many rich folk don't seem to realize how hard some of us are struggling.
I agree too with you and Bratt, the rich gets so spoiled with their life styles they forgot what's normal for most of us.
Great way you explained the lesson to your son, rather just appreciate. I always use the African villages as examples to try and put things here for them in perspective.
I just remind my kids that stuff isn't what makes you happy and that material goods do not last. Sure, it doesn't keep you from wanting it, but the pleasure of something new always fades. Relationships are what matter and are of real value.
Well, first let me say that it's shocking that none of them would show up for the party. I'm not going to make any judgments but for heaven's sake, too busy to show up at a birthday party??
I always told my children that on any street corner in life there will be people beside you with less and people beside you with more and it's your job to accept and understand that.
They probably still don't have any idea what I'm talking about.
Visiting Africa, and also South America, gave me a unique perspective when I was young. I suddenly realized that we, Americans, that is, are the "rich people" in the world. Money changes us too, but not all of us, and that's heartening.
I have a nephew who works for about four or five months here in the states, saving money, so he can go back to Zimbabwe for another four months, to work in an orphanage. He goes back and forth a few times a year. He doesn't worry about money...he doesn't care about money. He uses his money for others than himself. It's just a tool, that's all.
America, as a whole, could use some of that mentality, I think. Did you know that there's enough food in the world to feed the entire population of the planet a 2000 calorie a day diet? So why don't we? Because the average American eats over 3000 calories a day, and throws away another 1000 in the garbage. You do the math.
So...trying not to end my comment on a sour note, I'll just say this: Next time you see Bruce Willis, tell him a relative is looking for him (me), and that he owes me money.
If all the local bloggers traded houses every few weeks, it'd be like we all had several houses. And then we could blog about ourselves, and all of our houses. Except we still wouldn't be rich.
Never mind.
Great life lesson for your kids. Worrying about haves and have-nots blinds us to our blessings (like living in this beautiful area year-round!) I'm just as susceptible to the green pox as anyone else--especially since we have yet to buy our first house--but explaining things to my kids helps remind me of how very rich we are, sleeping in our own beds and eating every day without fail (and the XBOX 360 is just frosting on the cake!)
I love your positive take on this. It's quite refreshing.
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