Moments vs. Objects by Chloe S.

What is wealth? What is value? Million dollar houses and diamond jewelry; spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on things that you don’t necessarily need? Is that what being wealthy is really all about? Well that is what most people in our country believe, because that is what advertising and filthy rich celebrities tell us to believe. They say, that in life, you will be happier if you have money, and if you spend money. But is this true? What should really be important to us?

* * *

As I flip open the phone and dial the number, the buttons glow and the screen shines brightly. A notice pops up saying I have a missed call from earlier this afternoon. I decide to text my friends and ask if they want to hang out later. It’s amazing how much you can do with a cell phone these days. Take pictures, instant message people, listen to music, text, play a variety of games, even go on the internet. A number of years ago I never would have imagined owning a cell phone, I wouldn’t have wanted one. They were large and awkward looking, a pain to carry around. They barely had screens; they looked like oversized calculators with antennas.

Today, cell phones have become a huge part of our society. I remember the day I got my first cell phone, it was Christmas morning, and I was in 6th grade. When I opened the wrapped box and saw the picture of the small gray phone, I was really excited. I have since gotten a new one, a Motorola Razr, about a year after my first phone. All my friends have phones too, and it is our number one way of talking to each other outside of school. Everyone is starting to have one, whether it is for a practical use, like making important calls, or just to show off all the flashy accessories of your phone. Either way, they serve one main purpose, being able to communicate.

* * *

I look over in the stands at the side of the field. Its seems like everyone in town is here. My parents, friends, and other various classmates and people I know. I look back at the batter as she gets into her ready stance. There are two outs, bases loaded, it’s the last inning, and if we get this out we win the game. Our pitcher winds up and the ball shoots toward home plate. The batter swings. Bam! There is a thud of softball hitting aluminum as the ball cracks off the bat and heads toward first, where I am playing. It is a low line drive, which will kill us if I miss it, and it is far to my right. But I dive, and yes! I get it, and make the play at first. We win the game! Everyone is happy and we leave the field in high spirits.

There is nothing like making a great play in softball. Knowing that you just did something excellent, that everyone was counting on you and you came through for them, is the best feeling in the world. I love softball, it is my favorite sport. I can’t even describe how much fun it is to be caught up in a moment like that. But I don’t need the feeling of success or winning to be happy in softball. It is awesome to just be a part of the team, and to be able to play. I would rather be on the team and lose every day than not be on the team at all. Because moments like those, when you are in the game and you just realize that you are having the time of your life, are the most amazing moments in the world.

* * *

I care about my cell phone and softball very much, but for very different reasons. My cell phone is practical and I am able to make calls with it, but it also has fun accessories and is nice-looking. I try to keep it scratch-free and clean. Softball is all about just playing the game with teammates. My cell phone can be replaced. That’s basically the difference. If it gets lost, broken, or if I just get sick of it, I can get a new one. Nothing can take the place of softball. While a cell phone and playing softball are two extremely different things, they also have something in common. My cell phone is a way for me to stay connected to things outside my house. If I am lonely and want to invite my friends over, or if I just want to talk to someone, I use my phone. Softball is also a way for me to stay connected; to my teammates, my school, and a sense of belonging. Softball keeps me from getting bored, and so does my phone. So, answering the question from before, wealth is what you want it to be, it depends on whether you value objects, or moments. It depends on what is important to you. And I value both softball and my cell phone. But I would rather be a cell-phone-less softball player than a softball-less cell- phoner any day.