The Good Life

The Good Life

The old gypsy woman started turning the cards as soon as I took my seat.

"You are at a crossroads" she said without looking up. "You must choose."

"What are you talking about? Choose between what?" I asked.

"Your futures" she said cryptically.

"Can you describe my options?" I asked going along with the act.

"Option one. You win the lottery. You will become a millionaire overnight. All of the material things you want will be yours. There will be women, cars and fame. You will never have to work another day in your life."

"That sounds good to me. Before I choose option one, how about telling me what option two looks like."

"There will be good times and bad times. You will struggle to overcome adversity only to come out stronger on the other side. There will only be one woman but she will be with you forever. The things you want will only come after you work for them."

Hmmm I thought to myself. Everything I want instantly or a life of struggle.

"I have only one more question. Which like will bring me the greatest joy?"

She stopped turning cards and looked up at me for the first time. "You don't need me to tell you that. You already know the answer."

That gypsy reading was over forty years ago. Every now and then I sit out on my porch and thank God that I have made such a wise choice. Looking back, I have never wanted for anything. My life has been filled with riches.

I looked over at my wife of thirty-eight years. She was in the kitchen baking. The rest of the family, grandkids and all will be over soon.

I am so happy that I never played the lottery in my life.

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