As with some of you, I've lived on both sides of this equation.

When I was a kid through young adulthood (30's) it was my greatest desire to jump across the equality sign as I could clearly see a wonderful complexity on the other side. Having been there on the very complex side for nearly 30 years I can tell you without reservation that I long to return to the other side. It wont be many more years, then it's back to the piney woods for me, an awesome garden, and few neighbors who know me well. I'll probably even go to a church regularly as that's pretty much the highlight of activity for us ol' farts.

So when you see the grizzled old men and dowdy wives out tending their veggies, living so simply they appear in near-poverty, you might consider that they have been there, done that, and sent to their grandchildren the silly-ass t-shirt, all they got for their pain.

B