The virtue of a dollar store

Everyone has baggage from their past. I was talking to a friend of mine who had accompanied me to the mall the other day and we were discussing a story we both had about our fathers. I had become aware a few months back that I have the story that reads something like, "Men will disappoint you." And it's not a story that is lacking for entries. But as I am attempting to have men in my life who don't disappoint me, I have needed to change that belief to bring that into existence.

My friend and I were comparing how much of our beliefs began with fathers who were distant and problematic emotionally. My father came from country poor roots, and he spent most of my childhood being a workaholic to support our family through his business. When he was home, he was either exhausted or incredibly critical. If we did not keep our belongings in tip-top shape, in his mind we didn't appreciate what we had.

As I got older, I began to hear the stories of how my mom and dad grew up themselves, and I first gained understanding, then compassion for their states. In the meantime, my father "grew up" a bit as well. We have a good relationship at this point, and I am thankful for that. But I am saddened for the little boy he was, for the little girl I was... perhaps it was necessary for both of us to have gone through the childhoods that we did to end up where we are.

But I have been thinking lately how grateful I am for the "dollar stores" that have been springing up everywhere. Sometimes the items are good, other times they are crap. Much of what we have that is this cheap comes from China and other countries where the labor issues are problematic. I realize that being paid our notion of "slave wages" here in the states is actually something that sustains many workers in many parts of the world. What I pay for my daily coffee is something that could feed a family elsewhere.

There are many who argue that by buying these cheap goods you are supporting a system that encourages the taking advantage of the misfortune of others. But as a writer who is not always flush in the cash department, I appreciate being able to get some of my necessities at a pricepoint that won't break me. And I look at all the toys on the wall, and I am thankful there is a place where kids can get even a little bit of something fun for just a dollar.

I have to admit I have bought a couple items simply for my inner child. And for the naughty ones of you out there, I have even bought some items for doing scenes at the dollar store and gotten lots of enjoyment out of them:)

I realize economics are complex and the ramifications of actions taken by people or institutions vary drastically depending on who you are and where you are located. One's perspective is critical to take into account in any argument about the "good" of things.

I don't pretend to have the definitive answer for much of anything. But today, I am taking the time to be thankful for the dollar store. Both my kinky and my child self really appreciate getting a lot of bang for my buck.