Money didn’t mean much to me when I was a kid, that is to say, it wouldn’t have made my situation any better. We yo-yoed between well-off and dirt poor as often as my father lost one job and found another and in truth, the poorer times were the less fraught ones, for with no money to buy alcohol my parent's relationship was less volatile.
'Cast your bread upon the waters and it will be returned to you ten-thousand fold' my father, a man much given to aphorism and quotation, would often advise us, and that has certainly been my experience.
I’ve always been self-employed, have never taken a penny from the state, and have somehow managed to maintain a decent lifestyle in spite of extreme stupidity with money which should have seen me in the gutter. Let’s just say I’m a sucker for a hard luck story.
In business, money has never been what drives me. I strive for perfection and the money seems to follow. That money I've always spent on a better product, a more efficient service, and an as near as perfect working environment for my staff.
I’m not an acquisitive person, have very few possessions and fewer habits that cost me anything. I don’t mean I’m a stingy bugger, just that my wants are few, and other than a roomier house, there's not much money could buy that would add to my contentment.
When I ran a legal services business many moons ago, I used to give employment to ex-drug addicts who had gone through the rehab programme. The problem was, once released from rehab they returned to the same drug-ridden areas they came from, so relapse rates were high.
What I would do with a large sum of money is to buy a big ex-convent, rectory, or the like, developing one part as a luxury retreat/spa/wellness centre to finance the other portion which would house recovering addicts. I’d create an organic farm to grow food for the guests which would give the addicts something to occupy them and help them to develop new skills at the same time. I have experience in hospitality, marketing, and wellness, and I already grow much of my own food.
Well, it’d get me my bigger house now, wouldn’t it!
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I must confess that solving Dublin’s homeless/heroin addiction problem is a longstanding plan of mine and my brother's, and we still haven't given up on financing it ourselves... when our crypto moons:).
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Posted in response to the Ink Well creative non-fiction challenge #15. The prompt asks what you would do with a lottery win.
The images show some of the veggies I managed to grow last year.
You make me smile, what a funny yet honest write-up! I loved the silly photos of the veg, and also the ones that showed your dedication. Yes, we can follow our own truth and thrive. Money is cool and whatnot, but you can't take it with you! I love that a life long endeavor of yours is to help those in recovery!!!
Sometimes, all people need is a chance... although I tend to be with you on the sucker for a sad story scale... I regret nothing. I live my life the way I find joy 🤷♀. Deep admiration to you for doing the same, and for being such a shining soul 💚!
What a delightful comment! You're absolutely right in regretting nothing. You make the best decision you can with the information available at the time. That's the best you can do. Regret is just soul-destroying.
Homelessness has not escaped this country. It’s a problem and nothing seems to be the right solution. I like your dome and your dogs are enjoying it too. 😊 Those are huge veggies.
It seems your unsettled upbringing has given you strong character and incentive to make the world a better place. Most of us have come from a dysfunctional situation of some kind or other.
Ain't that the truth! Isn't it just amazing that we're as well-adjusted as we so obviously are:)
We’re alright. 😊
I'm finally getting around to telling you how much I love this post, @deirdyweirdy. It's wonderful that you help make a difference for addicts and the homeless. That's fantastic.
I cannot believe no one else commented on the rather suggestive nature of some of your vegetable photos. It put a big silly grin on my face!
Ah Jayna, there's nothing at all suggestive about those veggies. Your mind is in the gutter:)
Well that is absolutely true! #OwnIt Ha ha ha. 😊
I think that's a great plan!
I think so! I really thought someone with the money would have done it by now. Decadence repackaged as philanthropy...sure I'd have every virtue-signalling celebrity queueing up to book a suite:)
Your story detailed sad scenarios of your upbringing in a strangely humourous way, which made it vibrant and relatable. You appear to be an intrinsic motivator, which in no doubt plays a key part in your success as an entrepreneur - kudos to you 👏
Your 'dream' is admirable, and would be a great deed!
This is a great story for our creative non-fiction prompt, and your presence in the community is noticeable.
We appreciate it:))
Thanks guys. I appreciate the honourable mention and all the time-consuming work you do.
You are one of the coolest people I know. Is that your dome?! Your veggies are fab and your vision is superb. I just learned so much about you that I did not know! Such as you are a entrepreneur. What is (was?) your business?
Cool? Hahaha but thank you. I shall revel in that for at least today and quite possibly tomorrow.
Yes, that's my dome, and jolly nice it is too for whiling away the hours. As to being an entrepreneur, that sounds a bit grand for a bit of a chancer who has somehow been fortunate to take some of the right chances.
I have done a few different things. I ran a grocery shop, and a bookshop, I was a law searcher for 15 years, then I got into providing short-stay accommodation in Amsterdam. When that was banned by the city council I went into the accommodation agency business which was subsequently killed by Covid. I've now retired to live off the fat of the land but have yet to get the rabbits:)
Your title was a prelude to the 'sweet' content. Your story makes me smile, and I admire your minimalist mindset.
😍
Thanks for the sweet comment. As @ablaze comments below, the best things in life are free and they're all around us.
My daughter was quarrelsome and hubby was grumpy. Then I read your piece. Thank you.
The vegetables. Oh my heavens. They are a blog in themselves. Is that rhubarb?
What can I say? Continue as you are😇
I'm delighted you found my grouchy relative relief service useful:)
I do grow rhubarb but that's chard. I'm growing for 2 years now and it's probably the most satisfying thing I;ve ever done.
That's a great plan to have. I keep hearing about about the rise of homelessness back in the Emerald Isle. I've worked in mental health myself, with some experience working in drug rehabilitation. I hope you do win the lottery xxxx
If I win the lottery I'll give you a call:)
Your altruism shining through as always Deirdy and I don't doubt you for a second, if you did when the Lotto I reckon you would give half it away to those less fortunate. You seem to have figured out one of life's great lessons, that the best things in life are free and are right on front of our noses. You are great with the green fingers too, it's something I must get going with myself here soon.
Ah sure I'm practically a saint!:) As to growing, wouldn't it be a great skill to teach the kids? The way the world is shaping up growing your own might well become a necessity.
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The growing skills for kids is a fantastic idea, even for secondary school, there should probably be a life skills class.
Welcome to this awesome community @deirdyweirdy. Your story is awesome. I'm glad you didn't let your growing up define you in a negative way rather you work hard and dream of adding value to the environment you find yourself.
Thanks for your comment. Isn't that what life's all about, making things better if you can and if you can't, at least not making them any worse?