The True Value of Gold

The worsening economy has many individuals choosing to sell part or all of their jewelry collection in an effort to raise some capital. There are several ways one can liquidate the items. Most will first go to a jeweler. One can also mail the items to be sold or take them to a pawnshop. Another approach is to enlist the services of a gold buyer who systematically examines each piece of jewelry. The pieces are sold by weight for their gold content.

Embarking on a quest to find a reputable gold buyer can take time. Some buyers, who upon being handed the items, will simply slap the collection of pieces on a scale and make an offer. At another venue you may notice an entirely different approach. Each item is weighed and examined separately. The grams are noted and calculated. The various calculations added together and an offer is made—typically greater than the previous method of calculating value.

I find it interesting that the same items can be perceived as having a different value depending on where they are appraised. Not unlike the value of a person varies with the company they keep or the condition of their appearance, if they are educated or determined by their family or place of birth.

At the heart of it all is value. The value of a human life, the value we place on possessions. And odd as it seems GOLD is valued universally on earth but in heaven is only pavement to be walked upon.

The Favorite Aunt

Her given name was Junnette. At the age of 18, I believe, she changed it legally to Janet. But everyone called her “Net.” Next in stair steps of siblings to my mother, the youngest, Aunt Net was by far my favorite.

She had an uncanny way about her—she would look you in the eye to get her point across, yet was blind as a bat. She was the first person I ever saw wear a wig and I never saw her without makeup—vanity was probably her worse character flaw.

Aunt Net had the most wonderful laugh. I had the blessing of going on a road trip with her and Uncle Ralph to Florida one spring. We had such a good time. I recall Ralph getting lost and refusing to stop for directions. Aunt Net got on the CB Radio and started chatting with truckers to get us back on course. What followed was the 2 of us speaking only CB lingo for the next 3 days—yes, it took us 4 days to drive what most would do in 1 but we didn’t care. The top down on the convertible the wind in our hair…we were free.  And yes, we nearly drove Uncle Ralph crazy.

I discovered an important lesson on that trip—although it didn’t blossom into a full blown ‘ah ha’ moment until much later. The lesson to enjoy life regardless of others opinion of you is still blooming in my life today—especially if the approval you seek is from your own family. Net bought me a souvenir on that trip we shared. It was a coffee mug with a phrase painted on it that read, “True Friends are God’s way of making up for Family.”  We shared a lot of conversations over coffee—the souvenir never made it back home with me but the memories persist even today.

My mother often spoke of her sister with a smile on her face. They shared a love for singing—although in my opinion, mom’s voice was superior. But perhaps I was a bit biased. Net loved color. The last time I saw her she sported a purple, valor, jogging suit. She was belle of the social network in the Nursing Home where she resided the latter part of her life. She seemed to have the skinny on every resident in the center. I can still see her—motioning for us to get closer—the signal that she had a bit of gossip to share.

Be at peace Aunt Net. I am sure you are enjoying being near the Lord you have loved for so many years. Rest well and give an extra squeeze to Uncle Ralph and Mama for me. Until we meet again.