KNOWING YOURSELF: Harleys and Corvettes

Some of this may sound insulting to certain people.  I mean no disrespect.

I think it was around 5-6 years old the first time I was asked what kind of man I wanted to marry when I grew up.  My answer was someone that has a Harley AND a Corvette (yeah, I know, how superficial.  Especially coming from so young a child.)  I had recently seen my first Corvette; a gorgeous 1969 Stingray.  Red.  Even now, I can still see it driving down Hesperian Blvd in Hayward, not far from my grandma and grandpas house.  The sweetest thing in the world to look at, in my opinion.  Still.   Coming from what I consider to be a materialistic family, my parents must have been proud.  I am sure my mother’s first thought was, ‘I’m teaching her right.’, my dad’s, ‘She won’t end up with a bum.’ 

First time I heard the word ‘materialistic’ was the same time Madonna’s hit song ‘Material Girl’ was all over the airwaves.  Yes, like every other 16 year old girl in America, it was instantly one of my favorite songs.  But my true thoughts were – What a greedy, superficial witch!  I mean, jeepers, what kind of girl cares more about diamonds and cars and money and clothes…  You get the idea.  Hmm, writing this I’m beginning to see why my younger brother has said for many years now that I am nothing but a loser.  Well, D, I do not care what you think.  And as far as I know, your opinion of me is not shared by anyone else.  So stick it.  To everyone else, please disregard the sibling confrontational bull____.

Back to what I was saying…  As I got older and more in tune with who I am, I also came to learn to appreciate who I was supposed to be.  I learned that there is a balance in materialism and emotions; emotions are what I value in life.  Tolerance, forgiveness, love… Once again, you get the idea.  This had not happened yet when at the age of 23-24 years old, I had had the pleasure of being with a truly wonderful man.  We met when I was 15.  Being the overly sheltered child that I was, and him looking like a bad boy (emphasis on looking like), it is understandable why he was unliked by my family.  I know what you’re thinking, she was rebelling.  No, it wasn’t like that.  I was very much in love with this man from the minute I first saw him.  Guess you could say I still am.  But there was something I didn’t know yet.  He had a Harley AND a Corvette.  The anvil that fell on my head right then and there was screaming you are the greedy superficial money hungry witch you were raised to be!  And I panicked.  I didn’t just walk out of his life with no explanation, I bolted.  Because I didn’t know myself yet. 

The moral to this fairly heartbreaking story is; know who you are.  And do not take your time going about it.  The opportunities for happiness you throw away just may haunt you for a very, very, very, long time. 

There is nothing wrong being materialistic.  Just don’t forget that peoples feelings are more important than the diamond ring you want.  If not for the Material Girl’s out there and the men who want to make them happy, we wouldn’t have pretty things to look at, other than the roses.  Like Corvettes.  J  I got to drive one once about 10 years ago.  Man, what a rush!  I’ve said this a million times, but I’m saying it again.  Thank you Dennis!