I think it's more that said painting was a birthday present for a twelve-year-old, JJ. I'd be willing to bet that on the birthday when I had the biggest take--whichever one that was--all the gifts combined, from all four family members, probably didn't cost that much. On the other hand, my parents are going to pay all the medical expenses ensuing from my recent finger mishap, which will amount to a hell of a lot more, so I really shouldn't thrown stones. And the fact that they can afford to do this doesn't make them rich; they simply enjoy the benefits of decades of extreme frugality. I would feel guilty and diminished at the prospect of accepting their generosity if the tremendous lack of ambition they instilled in me weren't responsible for my inability to afford decent health insurance.
