In high school I loved working with numbers. They were so predictable, dependable, consistent and logical! I even considered, for a moment or two, majoring in mathematics in college. Ah, the road not taken… Why, I might have become an accountant! A genuine CPA! Maybe even continuing on into law, as my grandfather did!
I have a friend who number crunches for the state government in Olympia. Every year, when he takes part of his vacation to attend the local writers’ conference, he introduces himself by saying, “I write the budget for the state; I write fiction.”
Creative writing is my specialty, too, but not where my taxes are concerned. I gathered my data months ago and trotted them right in to my accountant. So I know every “T” is crossed and every “I” is dotted. And I am deeply grateful there are people who not only love working with numbers, but actually understand all those forms.
This year, I got back just enough money to pay the accountant for the tax prep and put three new tires on my car. Of course I put four tires on, but my refund paid for three. And I consider myself very, very blessed.