10 Francs and Bubble Gum

Dad was always generous.

Growing up, I would walk to school.

And I would complain about it because I had to go up thousands of stairs... Ok, about 100... but it felt like thousands.

And I had to walk miles... Ok, a little over 1/4 mile... but it felt like miles... up hill... both ways... Ok, maybe not... but it was uphill at least on the way there.

Of course, there were lots of occasions that Dad would actually drive me there... but that's another story.

So, as I left to go to school, I would ask Dad if he had a Franc. Just enough to buy a piece of gum. Somehow, I always ended up with 10 francs or more. That's about the equivalent of two dollars, and that was 30 years ago. Two dollars went a long way. I guess learning from my dad and I was generous myself with his gift. I would buy Malabar, a brand of bubble gum, and I usually would have enough for all my friend and some. So, when I arrived at school, I would freely distribute my new found wealth.





You would think that this routine would stop once I was older. Well, you would think wrong. I'll admit it, I am a spoiled child, one that recognizes it, one that is nice about, but a spoiled child anyway you look at it.

I was almost 15 when we moved to the US. The routine continued, but this time it was "Dad, do you have a dollar?". Somehow, once again, it always ended up being $10 or more.

As I continued to grow up, the routine changed slightly. I wouldn't necessary ask for a dollar, but my dad would say "Go look in my wallet, I think I have something in there for you." And there it was a $10 or $20 bill.

The last time Dad asked me to go look in his wallet was January 17th, 2005. Eight days before he passed away, I was 41 and he was 74.

I go out with Mom for lunch almost every week since my father died. You would think that the habit would be broken by now, but no... Habits are very difficult to break. When we go to lunch, Mom pays with a twenty dollar bill... yes, Mom pays... and I get the change... yes, I get the change.

Yes, I know, I'm spoiled... but I love it and I try to spoil my wife and children whenever I can.