Priceless People

I've spent way too much time the past few weeks playing Owned! on Facebook. I must say that I find the whole idea of bidding on people difficult: in my view, we are all unique and therefore priceless. How do you put a price on a priceless person?

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I also find the game inspiring to say the least. The photos on Owned! remind me that everyone is beautiful in his or her own right. No two people are the same. The people who are showing off their hobbies tend to have a sparkle in their eye. Where else can one find a photo of a seventy-something year old man with a boyish grin riding a Harley? It's wonderful.

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Owned! is a testament to the uniqueness of every human being.

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The game is also teaching me a little bit about myself in the process and about the people who have made a difference in my past. A long time ago, when Madonna dressed like a five and dime hussie, young women tended to run around without under garments and young men used to stare. I'll admit that I also engaged in the fashion trend and dressed in poor taste. At the time, though, I was too stupid to notice the boys watching and was oblivious to their comments.

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During my senior year in high school, a quiet young saxophone player, two years my junior, timidly supplied me with his jacket and mentioned that it would make me more comfortable. I remember him being quite insistent. He was so much a gentleman that he wouldn't look at me until I took the coat. Needless to say, I took it and wore it.

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It didn't take long for me to get the hint. You know, he was right. I did feel more comfortable, a bit embarrassed, but less self-conscious. Leering boys didn't follow me around anymore. It was a lesson learned.

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People really do judge you based on your clothing.

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Not too long ago I went through my yearbooks in preparation for the last reunion. I grimaced at the number of boys who wrote about my figure and my breasts in particular.

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Ouch - my ego!

What a thing to be remembered for!!

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This young man's legacy survives to this very day. Whenever my teen-aged daughter leaves the house, I think about Tom and his jacket. I try to ascertain whether her outfit would be distracting enough to make the boys bug her. If so, I insist that she change.

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I have recently found him on Owned! and I'm trying to get his photo up to a million dollars. I know it sounds stupid and childish but now that I have daughters, my former classmate's compassionate act becomes even more priceless!

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The Internet is so much fun! It really can remind us of the blessings in our lives both past and present.

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P.S. Thank you Tom...remember you're priceless.

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EDIT 7/11/2008 - I just logged into Facebook and found that one of my friends brought Tom's photo up to over $800,000 and bought enough photos from me to give me $1,765, 539.00. So, Tom that's your bid...I have no money left.

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Honestly, that still is not enough money to buy any one person.

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