Do you remember back in the day when your mother told you it was the thought that counted? You know you have heard the saying when children bring drawings for birthday presents instead of expensive gifts and it was the thought that counted. When a husband did the dishes, laundry, cooked simply because the wife was feeling under the weather. Or what about when you finally did run into some money and instead of getting an expensive gift for a loved one you purchased a cheaper gift that had meaning, sentiment, and thought behind it. Well over the years I guess I took what my mother said literally. I honestly can not think of a gift that I have spent on to many people that ever cost me that much money. I have generally sought after those gifts that would bring up some sentiment in the receiver of the gift. A Demdaco Willow Tree ornament for my mother's house and a poem to go along with it one year cost all of about $50 and an hour of my time but I know for sure my mother knows exactly where that ornament is and has saved the poem in her special spot. A leveling kit for a friend and his already huge F-250 didn't cost an arm and a leg but to see his jaw drop in amazement, astonishment, and sheer uninhibited joy was completely worth the money and time together turning wrenches putting it on. So I say all of that to say this. I know every girl wants a huge diamond ring on their left hand and to show it off in comparison to all of her girlfriends but really how unique is a diamond ring? EVERY Single girl I know who is married/engaged, minus one, has a white diamond ring with diamonds down the side and a matching wedding band. How original can it be, how thoughtful was it, and exactly how special can something be when a trained monkey could have picked out the same thing. Now I understand a cracker jacks ring isn't exactly suitable for an engagement ring but what about a ring that has some meaning behind it. One that took months and months to make, hours upon hours to create, and was created by my very own two hands out of a solid hunk of metal and a CNC machine. One where there is no exact ring like it in the world, not even close by a long shot and was seriously 'hand crafted' by my hands. Now this gift is full of thought, time, and love and yet this thoughtful gift still loses to the expensive status quo of a diamond ring. So much for 'it was the thought that counted.' Seems a little depressing to me and when I'm depressed I spend money and write. Since I can't spend money because I have to save up for an expensive non thoughtful ring I have chosen to write.

Take it easy,

Derrick Lee Myers