For some unknown reason, two certain subjects seem to keep coming come up as a frequent item of discussion with our three sons, Troy, Raymond, and Ryan. It is usually brought up when were all packed in our white, company Toyota Prius, as we drive around San Diego County and beyond.
I had hoped over time these discussions would ultimately fade away, but like a wide eyed zombie, who is drooling blood from his mouth as he knocks on our front door, they just keep coming back. It seems neither the subject of zombies, or our children's discussions of our family someday winning the Lotto, are not getting the least bit sick, much less dying away.
I'm not sure when zombies or thoughts of us being big lotto winners, originally came up, but I know it has been going on for quite awhile. My gut says we should be spending more time talking about world affairs, global warming, or other things which are vitally important to our health and happiness, like the San Diego Padres and Chargers. You know, really important stuff.
Since the talk does not appear to going away, and I recently found a, "to do list" written by one of our sons in case of a Zombie Apocalypse, I figured this would be a good week to share with you how these two subjects are bantered around the cramped interior of our little white car.
Usually either Troy or Raymond will kick it off with, "Hey dad, what would we really do when a Zombie Apocalypse occurs?" I then remind them to include an, "if" in their question. We then usually cover the same ground we did a few weeks earlier like, "Oak Valley Middle School would be the perfect place to hide from Zombies. After all, it already looks like a prison and we could block 
the gates with burned out cars."
the gates with burned out cars."
Ryan our eight year old recently suggested an improvement in our pre-zombie attack planning by suggesting, "We should go to Ace Hardware at 4S Commons and get metal rods and a metal grinder. We could cut the bars and block the windows." I thought that was pretty good thinking.
Do you get my drift? Every time zombies are brought up, our response plan is fine tuned with new elements, like who we would call first to help us, what weapons and skills we would need to keep our family alive and the drooling zombies at bay.
Do you get my drift? Every time zombies are brought up, our response plan is fine tuned with new elements, like who we would call first to help us, what weapons and skills we would need to keep our family alive and the drooling zombies at bay.
Our kids sometimes imagine what we would do if we won the lottery. That would definitely open the cash box to purchase armored personnel carriers and other vitally important ZPE's, (Zombie Protection Equipment).
As the conversation continues, I can count on their disappointed faces as they stare at me from the rear view mirror in our car. It's my buzz kill response that always drives them all crazy.
As the conversation continues, I can count on their disappointed faces as they stare at me from the rear view mirror in our car. It's my buzz kill response that always drives them all crazy.
"Are you serious dad? If you really won six hundred million dollars you would wait a year before turning in the winning ticket? You would wait until the last possible day you could? That is well ..." The boys do not finish the sentence or use the word, "stupid" but I know that is exactly what they are thinking
But, I always tell them the same set of reasons. Our life is far from perfect. We struggle like most families to meet demands of life that at times seems overwhelming. It is sometimes like were in a hurricane with so much activity between work, school, bills and friendships. I think we're just living. I don't think I would change a single thing.
To dump a truckload of money into our lives would change us. Yes, we could get the armored personnel carriers, helicopters and have the finest gear for the Zombie Apocalypse and possibly after the first night of battling zombies, I may change my mind. As of rig
ht now, I like the turmoil, struggles and imperfections that are vital aspects of our lives. It would not be as much fun or challenging to be suddenly swimming in cash. The money would change all of us.
The fact of the matter is I don't need a winning lotto ticket. I just need to look in the rear view mirror to know that Theresa and I have already won. Were richer than any amount of money that could be deposited in a bank account or delivered in gold bouillon. Like the vast majority of parents from all the corners of this globe, our children are truly our mega millions,
For those parents with kids in college, private school, or facing other challenges, I am sure you feel like your spending mega millions and would love to win the lottery. I sincerely hope you do. As for us, we will keep cruising around in the Prius and work on our Zombie Response Plan. You never know when we may need it.
But, I always tell them the same set of reasons. Our life is far from perfect. We struggle like most families to meet demands of life that at times seems overwhelming. It is sometimes like were in a hurricane with so much activity between work, school, bills and friendships. I think we're just living. I don't think I would change a single thing.
To dump a truckload of money into our lives would change us. Yes, we could get the armored personnel carriers, helicopters and have the finest gear for the Zombie Apocalypse and possibly after the first night of battling zombies, I may change my mind. As of rig
ht now, I like the turmoil, struggles and imperfections that are vital aspects of our lives. It would not be as much fun or challenging to be suddenly swimming in cash. The money would change all of us. The fact of the matter is I don't need a winning lotto ticket. I just need to look in the rear view mirror to know that Theresa and I have already won. Were richer than any amount of money that could be deposited in a bank account or delivered in gold bouillon. Like the vast majority of parents from all the corners of this globe, our children are truly our mega millions,
For those parents with kids in college, private school, or facing other challenges, I am sure you feel like your spending mega millions and would love to win the lottery. I sincerely hope you do. As for us, we will keep cruising around in the Prius and work on our Zombie Response Plan. You never know when we may need it.
Enjoy your week,
Ray & Theresa
