I Gotta Invest More in My 401k

Meet Margaret White, born in Hartford, CT on December 22, 1901. One hundred and four years old!

I had the good fortune of chatting with her on Sunday at St Joseph's Cathedral. She is full of energy and still lives in the home where she grew up as a kid. Margaret still cooks and cleans for herself, but she doesn't drive anymore. If I was a betting man, I'd say she'll be celebrating a birthday in 2006 although it would take one real sick bastard to make her blow out 105 candles.

We talked a bit about how the world has changed in the last 100 years. She spoke for a moment about the depression; it left an indelible impression on all who lived through it. She also spoke of her parents. Can you imagine that? 104 years old and she still yearned for her Mom and Dad - how beautiful.

She told me she feared for the youth and the enormous debt they were inheriting. I think she may listen to a tad too many political talk shows, but it was wonderful she was concerned. I know people half her age who don't give the youngest generation a second thought.

Somehow we talked about death. I don't think I asked her if she was ready to die, but I must have looked like I wanted to ask her, so she volunteered an answer. Margaret said, "I am ready to go whenever God calls me. He told me He is working on a penthouse for me, but it wasn't quite finished."

I believe God is building her a mansion. I hope she saves a room for me.