For the past 3 weeks I’ve been moving stuff from OH to NV.  That’s right, I’m finally going to get out from the two house, two gas bills, two electric bills and so on.  Now, anyone who has ever had to make a move after a long time, knows just how difficult it can be.  It is also nostalgic. 

I came across some paper work my Mom, now deceased, left in a plain folder.  Inside was a strange mix of lists of bric a brac and what she had paid for each item.  I still have her list, the bric a brac is long gone.  Shuffling through was a strange mix of longing and deja vu.  Then I found IT. 

IT is the bill my Mom got from the Hospital for when I was born.  Now here’s where it gets really bizarre.  Want to guess how much it cost for my Mom to have me?  Well, she was in the Hospital for 13 days.  Yep, 13.  That was a common practice back then.  Nothing was unusual about the birth, 13 days was customary.  Very different from today’s overnight and you are OUT. So, whats your guess?How much was the bill?

The Hospital Room charge, including meals was $5.50 per day.  That’s not a typo folks.  Five dollars and fifty cents per day!  Add to that the 2.50 for lab work, 10.00 for "baby care", and a couple of other items including ten cents for a "baby book", and the grand total?  $101.00!!  Yep, I cost my folks 101 bucks to be born.  Probably one of the cheaper times of my life.

I tell you this ’cause, in comparison with costs for everything today, healthwise or any otherwise, it is a shock.  Its also very funny.   So, don’t toss all those old bills.  Save a few for this time capsule we call Life.