Not my ambition to be rich.

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What would you like to be when you grow up? A question often asked of children. When I was a kid, I did not know how to answer that. Not that I didn't dream but my dreams were about wondering if I could transform into a mermaid and swim the seven seas. Or if I could be a buddy to Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. In our abode in Olongapo City, we cannot step out of the fence. My siblings and I were limited to cooking the leaves in make-believe chef concoctions, or cut out cars from magazines and pretend we were racers. Money - we had no idea it was important, I saved my few coin allowance for photographs of teen superstars for my scrapbook. Meaning - I walked home from school. To my child's mind, it was a privileged life. It was the life. I had piano lessons on Saturdays and attended Mass on Sundays, at St. Joseph's Church, where the all hours of the morning, the pews and the aisles were filled to capacity. Till I grew up and learned that money is a necessity. For daily subsistence. And preparing for the future. Then I thought, what is the future but today. So, when I earned my keep, I gave it away to make others happy. I was godmother to many, and come Christmas, my godchildren always have pretty dolls and toy cars. When my kid sister wanted a debut party, I paid for it. One asks, why not avail of insurance for one's self and open bank accounts? I ask - what for? Not my ambition to secure wealth. Not my ambition to be rich. Okay, perhaps I am still as carefree as a child. But is that not how life is supposed to be? A Teacher once said: Let the little children come to Me. And wow, that is my goal, to come rushing to the Teacher. Like a child,