Neighborhood potluck, Saturday night
Jack and Gracie showed up looking alright
Someone asked “Where y’all disappear to?”
Jack mumbled something ‘bout peppers — Sichuan
Left ’em scratching heads by the grill
While he made his way to Nanna on the hill
“Sichuan? Where’s that?”
“China,” I said flat
They whisper behind their red solo cups
“Look at that truck, barely runs, all rusted up”
“Can’t afford dinner when we ask them out”
“Now he’s talking China? What’s that about?”
While you financed that F-150, they’re making memories
Guess it all depends on what you call treasure, see
I couldn’t help myself, had to say
“You gotta understand how those two play
They got this old philosophy ‘bout life
Experiences over things — that’s Jack and his wife”
“They seem humble though, compassionate and kind”
“Exactly,” I said, “Now you’re reading the signs”
While they were backpacking in Vietnam
You upgraded your kitchen, got granite ’n tile
They watched the sunset on the Seine for a while
Stockholm in summer, temples carved in stone
Places you can’t pronounce they call home
Living right beside us all these days
Living wealthy in other ways
So yeah, that rusted truck in his drive
Paid for a thousand ways to feel alive
Can’t afford the Outback, that part’s true
But ask him ‘bout the real one — he’ll tell you
You chose the F-150, they chose memories
Seems like they’re wealthier than we’ll ever be
“So, whats up with that Sichuan pepper, then?”