George and Daisy | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: George and Daisy | Previous Challenge Entry
By JC Hummel
09/01/16
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Daisy and George sat on the porch of their tiny farmhouse enjoying the sunset.
“This is the best way to end the day, Daisy said as she took her husband’s hand in hers.
“Yes, we have a lot to be thankful for,” George said.
In the distance they saw their nephew’s car driving up the dirt road to the house.
“That looks like Tom’s car,” Daisy said.
“Were you expecting him?”
“No, but he’s probably coming straight from work. I’ll go in and make him some iced tea and a sandwich.”

A few minutes later George entered the house with his nephew.

“Hello Aunt Daisy,” he said and gave her a hug.

“I have good news about your investments, but I think you and uncle George should sit down before I tell you what I found out.”

They sat down in their respective arm chairs and looked up eagerly at their nephew.

He took a breath and then said, “You are millionaires.”

“Millionaires? Daisy and George said in unison and they looked at each other in surprise.
“So you weren't aware you had so much money invested?” Tom asked.
“No,” George said. “The money was just a small amount left to us decades ago by Daisy’s grandmother.”
“I had totally forgotten about it until we got the letter from the investment firm a few weeks back,” Daisy said.
“Well, letting it sit for decades, was a good move, whether it was intentional or not.” Tom said. “I don’t have my investment license yet, so you should hire a financial planner to help you with your retirement options. You have more than enough money now to travel, move to a bigger home and even buy a second home if you like.”
“But, I don’t want to move,” George said.
“No, neither do I, but maybe we should make a few improvements,” Daisy said. “It would be nice to get some new carpet. Maybe like that blue-gray plush Shirley Harris has in her living room.
“Yes, that’s a beautiful color.”
“The first thing we need to do is tithe and the elementary school has been fundraising for a new roof so we can help them,” George said.
Over the next few months George and Daisy donated money to local charities and helped out some neighbors who were in need. Then one day in October they got a statement from the investment firm showing that they had lost most of their money in the financial downturn. Tom stopped by at the farmhouse when he heard the news.
“Aunt Daisy, you should have hired a professional and moved your money into less risky investments. I’m so sorry you’ve lost so much. You didn't get a chance to buy a new home or even spend any of the money on yourself.”

“That’s okay, we still have a little left and we’re happy living here.”
“You’re taking it really well, most people would be pretty upset.”
Daisy stood at the large white kitchen sink with tears in her eyes. “When George and I were first married I complained about our home. At the time the roof leaked and the floor boards were uneven and I was embarrassed to have my girlfriends over. I got angry and told George he had six months to fix up the house, or I would leave him. We didn't have enough money to make all the repairs, so he took second job working nights at the mill. One night after he had gone to work, a neighbor called and told me there had been an explosion downtown, and the authorities believed there were multiple fatalities at the mill. Suddenly how the house looked didn't matter. I just wanted my husband safe. I fell on my knees and told God I was ashamed of my behavior and promised Him I would never let material things be a priority in my life again. Waiting for an update on the accident was excruciating, but a few hours later the phone rang and it was George telling me he was okay. That was the best day of my life.

“I had no idea,” Tom said and hugged his aunt.

Later that night George and Daisy sat on the porch of their home watching the sunset and sipping hot chocolate.
“This is the life. George said and put his arm around his wife.
“It sure is.” Daisy said.

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