Dad's fiscal values trump son's sentimentality

Culture is said to live in the voices from the past. It certainly does for me. I own a tiny house in Ohio made beautiful by my long deceased father's landscaping. It's market value is probably around $65k.

Imagine this scenario. I am approached by a potential buyer who offers me $55k. "Sorry, no deal, I say." The offer rises to $65k, now a reasonable number. But, suddenly I am visited by memories of my dad planting the baby chestnut trees that today grace the yard with abundant shade. My inclination to say yes is blocked by a furtive tear.

The buyer's offer rises to an exasperated $75k. Again, I am flooded with sentiment and images of my gardening father potting flowers around the house. Suddenly, I hear his booming voice over the images, saying, "Don't be a dumb fool, Son. Take the money and run!"