What to Give

   Don’t tell the stars of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta that the country is (or will soon be) in a recession.

This “reality” show chronicles the lives of the rich and spoiled. This week’s episode showed one of the housewives throwing a birthday party for her 11-year-old daughter. The price tag? $18,000.

Well, 11-years-old is sort of a big deal, right? It’s almost 12 after all.  But this poor child is soooo spoiled (and ungrateful) that she’s sure to turn into a spoiled, superficial adult. She’ll probably be on that MTV reality show, My Sweet 16, when mom throws her a million-dollar party in five years. (Hopefully Mom’s stock investments are as shored up as her not-so-natural physique.)

Then I read today about a wedding dress encrusted with diamonds that will be part of a bridal show at the Skirvin Hotel. The price tag is a mere $100,000, a modest take on the million-dollar diamond gowns that other designers have produced.

Such restraint!

Even if you could afford such a gown, is it the socially responsible thing to do when our country is on the verge of economic collapse? People are losing their life savings, their homes (many worth less than the dress in question) and facing a future of sheer poverty.  Maybe a portion of that price tag — a few diamonds really — could go to help organizations in great need.

The Alzheimer’s Association of Central Oklahoma is trying desperately to raise $10,000 to continue an arts program that helps late-stage patients express themselves through art. For these patients, the ability to communicate through paint and paper is more precious than all the diamonds in the world.

Let’s get our priorities straight. Sure, turning 11 or getting married are momentous events. Let’s celebrate — by setting aside our own vain and giving to others.

Susan Simpson

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