Reading over Spring Break

It only took me an hour to read the book "The Richest Man in Town" about Marty (pictured above). But it's a story I can't wait to share.

The book details the story of a 70-something clerk at Wal Mart. The story is comparable to the book "Tuesday's with Morrie" and I hope this book also gains national acclaim. I found this book through my mother who is friends with the author, VJ Smith. He wrote this book after meeting Marty in the check-out line at Wal-Mart in Brookings, S.D.

Even though the book is less than 100 pages long, I felt like I had a bond with Marty. A kind man who told every customer who went through his line, "I sure want to thank you for shopping here. Have a wonderful day, bye bye." Before he handed customers their receipt, he would shake their hand and look into their eyes, often adding compliments like "what a beautiful smile."

Marty grew up during the Depression when he was so poor that his mother had to butcher his pet chicken to feed the family. He left school after 9th grade to earn money for his family and served his country in the Philippines during World War II. He described his wife as the "most beautiful woman in the world" and he was fiercely proud of his four children and his double wide trailer. He was most happy when at work, shaking people's hands and giving hugs. Children loved him. One little boy who lost his grandpa asked Marty to be his new grandpa.

After you read this book, Marty will have taught you many important things but his three main lessons were:

1. Relationships matter most in life

2. Try to do a little more

3. Only you can make YOU happy.

Marty showed me that I shouldn't be frustrated that I can’t change the world-- I can change MY world by choosing to be happy. You have to give relationships time and love and not let bitterness strangle you.

This is a great book for anyone to read but I suggest it as a great gift for any high school or college graduate. Marty never had an abundance of money lying around but he was really "the richest man in town" because he valued what he had and took joy in the happiness of others.

You can order the book here: http://www.lifesgreatmoments.com/index.htm