Good as Gold

When I was a child, we did something that most of today's children outgrow much too early. We "pretended." We could be anyone we wanted to be simply by changing our voices, our body language, and our facial expressions. Dress-up was optional.

We were great actors.

Every so often, during a "scene" one or all of us would suddenly come into a great deal of wealth. I remember our lines perfectly: "I'm rich! I'm RICH!" or "Gold, GOLD, GOLD!!!"

From a very young age, it seems that all of us recognize that gold is of great value. Maybe it's the way we use gold imagery in the way we describe things of value. For example, when I was little somehow I had the impression that a pot of gold could be found at the end of a rainbow. (I could never understand why the end of the rainbow never landed in my backyard.) I was taught the Golden Rule, I learned about the California gold rush in the fourth grade, and I know that anyone who was generous and kind had a heart of gold.

When people retire from their job, they get to spend their golden years fishing, traveling, and being happy (well, that's what I thought). When missionaries find someone willing to listen to the Word, the listener is considered a golden contact. Owning beautiful gold jewelry is every girl's dream, and finding a way to become rich, RICH, RICH! is something not to be passed up - it's a golden opportunity!

And, of course, if only the real thing will do, one looks into gold and other precious metal investing.

My personal favorite, of course, is golden delicious popcorn. That's right. Okay, my taste in gold may be a little low-end and offbeat, but it is definately affordable. I can have it every day if I want to (and usually I do).

Hey wait, remember the golden age of the silver screen? Or, how about the Golden Gate Bridge? In the Golden State??? (How DO I think of these?)