By Rex Alphin

1. The love of a good woman.

2. A 3-year-old’s laugh. He could care less about money. He only cares if it’s funny.

3. An October sunset. Glorious, stupendous, magnificent. And each is different.

4. Integrity. Can any virtue be bought?

5. The strength to say, “I am sorry. I was wrong.” Oh, if only this could be purchased. Or hire someone else to make this painful declaration.

6. A joke from Udell Butler. Priceless.

7. A dry harvest season. A farmer’s dream.

8. The ability to escape death. Many have tried. None have succeeded (save One).

9. A life without struggles. Alas, it seems mammon gives increase.

10. Good parents. Not ours to choose.

11. A sincere kiss. Only the heart can generate such an act.

12. The respect of one’s children. They are far too intuitive to be duped by anything less.

13. The capacity not to be influenced by time. Have you looked in the mirror lately?

14. The moon. From whom would it be purchased?

15. The elimination of guilt. It is far too entrenched.

16. The color blue. Someone else has rights to it.

17. My heart. It has already been taken.

Rex Alphin of Walters is a farmer, businessman, author, county supervisor and contributing columnist for the Suffolk News-Herald. His email address is rexalphin@aol.com.