Gift of presence ... or cash

EMILY ESTHER HART gets her masters degree from Eastman School of Music next month. I really want to go. Sheryl says it can be arranged. I am thinking about it.

I'd like another crack at Rochester, N.Y. We had a great time there in February but it was cold and snowy so we didn't get to see much of the town.

There is no easy way to get to upper New York state. It's at least 15 hours by car, and the better part of a day even if you fly. I could easily fly out there and be home within 24 hours - we'll sleep when we're dead, as Frank Haxel likes to put it.

This next part is tricky and no doubt my Dutch upbringing plays a part in this - the cost. I do not want for anything, and Sheryl and I have simplified our lives greatly since I jumped out of the plane without a parachute and quit my job nearly three years ago. I probably have too many guitars, but that's a vice of work and I don't apologize for it.

We are careful and we don't spend money foolishly. Everything we make goes right back into the business to grow it. We recently began going to the grocery store once a week instead of every day and it's not only better for us, it's a lot cheaper, too.

I could pawn some stolen traffic cones for Eastman graduation ...

I don't have a lot of money. I'm good with it - cash causes problems much of the time. If you pay your bills and are happy, there's no need for a fat bank account.

So. I'm wondering. I could spend money I don't really have and fly out to Emily's graduation. Or I could send her the cash instead. She's a struggling college student about to embark into the real world, and she could use it. I haven't been able to help her much financially in the two years she's been in New York and that is a regret, but also reality.

You can't put a price on being there and a life experience. But you can't put a price on helping where the help is needed most.

I will talk to her about this and see what she thinks. Maybe I will go. Or maybe I will help her in other ways.

It's all good.