The Richest Man in Town

A Different Kind of Wealth. You Can Bank Upon It!

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I was just telling my wife about something my Aunt Lena had told me a long time ago, about what a restaurateur had said to her regarding one of her best customers, my aunt’s husband. Her husband, Ernie C. or “Jake” as he was known to all of us, worked at a Feed Mill just across the intersection from this little restaurant/bar/grill. He would stop by the restaurant almost every day on breaks or during his lunchtime for a coffee and whatever. And he’d bring friends, or they would meet them there.

Working Every Day

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Jake’s job paid the bills, but money was doubtlessly always tight. He had friends, lots of them. What I remember most about Jake was his infectious laughter, his bright eyes and humorously enough, his piebald head. Wherever he went, he had friends waiting. Always something to do, some chore, favor or promise to fulfill. That was my uncle.

Well, the owner of the restaurant saw Jake nearly everyday as he would come in and order a coffee and maybe some toast, whatever. Surrounded with his cabal of friends and co-workers of course, loud laughter and animated talk would come from whatever booth he occupied. And not just from him. He brought out the best in whomever was with him, to share, discuss and laugh about topics important, and not so much.

The restaurant keep told my Aunt “-That Ernie C., -he’s the richest man in town!” and my Aunt, incredulous to this revelation said that she would require some elaboration as “…I have not seen THAT paycheck!”

The restaurant proprietor explained that whenever Ernie C. was in her restaurant, he was never alone. His friends, maybe some family and other co-workers always surrounded him and sometimes even casual strangers in the same establishment would be invited to pull-up a chair to his booth and join the group. She stated that they all would be laughing and telling stories and just being, well, happy! The room would glow with life! He was visible in the patriarchal role, the center of this life. It was this that was his greatest wealth. And yes she can admit now that this was a pretty big paycheck, indeed!

Spread the Wealth

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Jake is long gone, having passed from cancer many years ago. He lived many months longer than the prognosis was for his type of disease. He traveled more when he knew his time was short. He grew closer to the church and to family. Returning from vacations or short outings, he often spoke of how everywhere here went ‘…the grass seemed greener, the sky seemed bluer’ than he ever remembered at any time in his life. When his end came near, he declined quickly and we can hope, peaceably. He was a religious man and not only had he found God years before, but Jesus was waiting for him when it was time to come home. We still remember Jake C., his infectious laughter, his wonderful cheery voice and that immutable wealth which he shared so freely with anyone and everyone. I can’t help but wonder sometimes though how much better the world would have been if he could have stayed with us for a few more decades. Or sadder still, how much poorer Heaven would be to have had to wait that much longer for him.