Balancing My Business

Last year, quite unpredictably, I returned to the out-of-home, full-time workforce. Despite the titular tease, this opinionated oration will not be another diva-composed diatribe rehashing yet again the frustration borne from attempts to effectively juggle both occupation and offspring. Ladies, this one's quite literal---truly about the division of my dollars.

Be not deceived: corporations are people. Sure, it may be easy to villify and dehumanize them---you certainly hear it daily in the news. Link them to soylent green if you must, but corporations are made of people.

Fully prepared to lose followers with this confession, but fully believing the truth will set me free: I love Walmart.

How's that for a pooh-pooh to popular hip parenting, anti-financial success propaganda? Naturally, the prices are a lure, but Walmart---our Walmart---is made of people.

People who've known my twins since our near daily trips in the double stroller. People who hug them---and me---on sight. People who ask---and genuinely care---about my husband's health. People who exclaim how unbelievably tall the kids have grown. People who've electively retained jobs for at least 9+ years that the media populace actively leads audiences to believe are unbearable and inhumane. Walmart is made of people; and I patronize them with unapologetic pride.

Honesty again at the fore, we're not all about the savings.

Bargains are appreciated, but maybe even more so, businesses that intentionally fill---if not create---a needed niche. Storefronts that are neighbors...people.

Within walking distance of our home are:

...a coffee shop, complete with play space and rotating art exhibits by local artists, run by Mr. Jerry.

...a wine shop, run by Mr. Bob, who doles out Tootsie Roll Pops to underage customers and projects family-suitable movies on a flanking brick wall outdoors Friday nights during the summer. His dog, a King Charles spaniel named "Mac," is undeniably an added attraction.

...and a book store, run by Mr. Rick, who built a kids' castle in the back of the shop stocked with age-appropriate literature, who hosts a summer plant camp for kids, a family game night, and the annual RABL--Reading Aloud of Banned Literature---festival, wherein people volunteer to read aloud much-loved texts like In The Night Kitchen, To Kill a Mockingbird and Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. 

Proprietors such as these make their livelihood lovely with their care, their outreach and their inventiveness. We're elated to pay a little extra for service superceding simply merchandise.

So give up the guilt and go ahead; kiss your favorite corporation. Love up your local business. Manage your money accordingly.