I was at our neighborhood Wal-Mart doing what I hated most, waiting. My wife was in the salon having her hair done. The same woman had been doing her hair for fifteen years, and when she moved Pam followed. I had looked at the lawn and garden, the clothes, and sporting goods areas, and was running out of things to hold my interest. I walked by the salon, she was getting the finishing touches done.
She saw me and mouthed "20 minutes". I nodded and pointed towards the door, indicating I would wait outside.
I passed the greeter, you know the old guy who welcomes people and checks reciepts, when I heard someone say:
"Will, aren't you going to say hello?"
It was Sam Dennison, my old neighbor and long time financial planner.
"Sam, hi. What are you doing? I know the economy has taken a hit, but this? Why?"
"One simple word, Will. Boredom. I got tired of waiting for people to come and see me so I took this job. You know how it is in this small town, if you want to see someone bad enough go stand by the door of the Wal-Mart, they'll pass by eventually. I get to see all my old friends and get paid at the same time."
"Same old Sam, figuring out how to do something you want and get paid too."
We laughed and talked over old times. Sam and his wife Sarah had lived two doors down from us for twenty years. They were the oldest of all the neighbors, both in their early sixties.They had never had children, but quickly became grandparents by proxy to all the neighborhood kids. There was always milk, cookies, and a sympathetic ear, especially from Sarah. She never worked outside the home and was always available.
We used to joke lovingly that the good values instilled in our collective children that we got credit for actually came from Sam and Sarah.
Sam was about nine months from retirement and Sarah was busily planning the things he had always
