A Final Analysis, Life's Ledger: "Forgive me my debts; give me some credit!" 3/3

Cradle to (beyond the) Grave: From (not so) humorous to posthumous, from the time we are born and past the time we depart from here, the concept and practical effects of debt are inescapable...a-parent-ly. That is, as I have previously cited here, at the time of birth, without prior consent, prior notice, we as newborns, newbies, find ourselves in debt in at least two ways. First, to who conceived us, as in "It was my good/mis-fortune to have been born into..." We were, as a group (presumably most of you reading this), fortunate to have born on U.S. soil which, among other rights and privileges we learned about from our parents and civics class, eventually included the 'privilege' of helping to start paying on the HUGE debt we were born into, when we started working, became official taxpayers. At which time we collectively protested, "Who voted on this...who asked me...taxation without representation!" Along the way, after the age of majority, the age one is able to purchase lottery tickets and other forms of legalized gambling, a few fortunates landed a windfall in the form of "Super Lotto", "Power Ball", "Mega Millions", etc... after which they found themselves with mixed emotions, being advised to counsel with three different professionals to cope with this good fortune, newfound bag of cash (in whatever order): 1) a financial adviser, so you don't spend it all in one place or too fast; 2) a psychologist to cope with what might be a dramatic change in lifestyle as well as what may prove to be unrealistic expectations (how money can sustain happiness for at least a few years, but thereafter it becomes more intrinsic again); and 3) a lawyer as those lucky few big winners will find out just how many lurking in the shadows of their lives, discovering you are a big winner via Facebook or other social media, either come calling for what they think you owe them, debts, or sue you due to some perceived wrongdoing or an uncollected favor from yesteryear. Finally, at the other end of the life span, actually exceeding it, those who have been charged, 'privileged' with being an executor or trustee of an estate, discover that way before reading the will and distribution of what great Uncle Harry left, his departure has to be publicly positioned so that any potential creditor can try and collect; no end in sight, eh? A lighter side of both sides of this (i.e., prior to and following his passing), we witnessed and then heard more about a friend's father, who was known for his sense of humor, as well as his 'exuberance', informing our friend, his son, "After I'm gone, first go and pay off my loyal bartender whatever I owe, as he was nice enough to listen to my woes as well as carry me for a while...and then, just as importantly, go and collect from that S.O.B. I lent money to, who comes into the bar every Tuesday; the interest must be a good sum by now...". 

"Forgive us our..." Regardless of one's religious affiliation or chapter in your respective faith journey (even avowed atheists have a set of convictions and beliefs which guide them), or what language is primary to you, almost everyone can relate to the phrase "Forgive us our debts..." An appeal to have all our debts, those of a tangible, monetary type forgiven, amortized, no longer collectible..."Strings no longer attached". Extending to debts less tangible, in the form of various acts we did or did not do...an appeal we can all relate to. A place we have all found ourselves in and likely will again. On the other side of the ledger, we find a phrase reflecting a degree of reciprocity, "As we forgive..." not as familiar territory, not as easy, eh? But, as most of us who have had sufficient amount of adulting behind us, have also realized, "It's hard to have without the other..." In the final analysis, is it ever over, as those we have judged and will likely judge us, our debtors and creditors, respectively, may be found way-y-y-y into the future. Such as those found among the taxpayers of "Tomorrowland", some of whom may even share our last name who, when facing an insurmountable level of debt that we as a nation have passed on to them...may we, most of whom won't be around to offer an explanation or a rationale ("But you're paying this off in tomorrow's dollars...") find them in an equally forgiving mood. Unless, of course, they have already come and found you; one can only hope.