Diamonds Are A GBF

Back In The Day, when you got a ring from your man, it meant something other than finally, after co-habiting for three years to afford it, the wedding and the diamond. That tiny "rock" once meant
romance and promise. It announced to all of your friends and relatives that you and your boyfriend were "getting married and setting up home and family". Shouts of joy resounded and speculations ensued. Where were you going to live, when would you perhaps have children (if one wasn't already on the way) and where were you going for your honeymoon? It's just not the same these days and no judgments, please. The diamond's size or style was not in question. You likely spent the money previously to pay for the education to get the job where you would spend the rest of your working years until retirement rolled around. No one stressed about how big the diamond was. Seems that these days, size is what matters. Big everything: education, appearance, house, car, furniture, jewelry, holidays, wardrobes and certainly, egos. The bigger and more expensive, the more oohs and ahhs of the surrounding populace. And does it all end bigger and better? Afraid not! There is more crime, divorce and poverty than ever. What some see on the big and small screens is desired and sought after without regard for morality.  Diamonds don't matter much, nor do many of the values that we once cared about and are now material for stand-up comedy. But all is not lost. While there are big weddings, they have become celebrations of the promise to stick with the partner of your choice: someone you can walk beside into a life that presents huge challenges. The diamond is an investment in that future and perhaps if necessary, it could be the difference between putting food on the table or not, while in the meantime, you look at it and feel rich even if you aren't. All we can do is look at that ancient sparkle and hold on to the hope that, in this time, we can make it a better, brighter world.