This photo was taken when my grandmother died back in 2004. The wake became a reunion venue for us. It has been a while since we have had a really huge reunion.

When I was younger, I have always heard two things from my grandmother. One is that time is gold and the other is that, money cannot buy happiness. To the first, I fully agree. I am even an advocate of that the greatest gift anyone can give is their time. Once spent, you cannot take it back or earn that time back. To the latter, I would say, sure money doesn't buy happiness but neither can poverty.

Money has been seen as the root of evil. I would say it can do evil but it is not the root. Evil is in the heart of the person who has or wants the money. Money is just a tool. It is just a means of getting what we need, what we desire and the manner by which we do so is a reflection of who we are---good or evil.