The Best Things In Life Are Free

"The moon belongs to everyone, the best things in life are free. The stars belong to everyone, they gleam there for you and me. And love can come to everyone. The best things in life are free." I remember hearing this song when I was young - most likely Dinah Shore's version which was recorded in 1947, though it was covered by many different singers. I also remember Mom telling us "The best things in life are free." That was hard to believe when everything I wanted "cost too much", or, "we can't afford that", or, "you don't really need that." Especially after we got television and all the advertising touted stuff we really did need - sugar coated cereals with prizes inside the box, dolls with real hair, a musical instrument, saddle shoes, even a Toni permanent.

It wasn't until I had children of my own that I finally realized the best things in life were free. This from one of my journals, August 5, 1979 - thirty-two years ago today. "A beautiful day with my kids. Took them up to Grant to show them that house. Surprisingly, they're all enthused and want to move up there. On the way home, we ended up in the Nodaway River south of Jim Haley's. A great, fun day.

How well I remember that hot afternoon. We were just going to wade in the river, it was too shallow to really swim, but some pools were deep enough so we ended up getting totally immersed - splashing one another, yelling, laughing, having a great time and getting cooled off in the process.

Some other best things in life that are free include:

An autumn sunset and thinking about your sister on what would have been her 65th birthday....

A frosty December morning.....

"And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever come perfect days.....(James Russell Lowell)

"For whatever we lose (like you or a me), it's always ourself we find in the sea." (e.e. cummings)

Being with children and watching their play is free.......

As is holding a grandchild and contemplating what his life will be.......

"But now I'm building sandcastles in the sand".........

Laughing and catching up with an old friend........


And from a later journal, this list of "things I love" (all free): reading, sound of falling water, gardens, flowers, scent of new-mown hay, sunrises, sunsets, creeks, lakes, oceans, ponds. Walking in woods, solitude, sound of rain on the roof, holding a pet, the smell of willows, dreaming and remembering dreams.

Reading old diaries and journals - walking down memory lane.