I’ve just returned from vacation and have been reading the stories about Mike Symmes. He’s the Chesterfield Accountant accused of stealing $300,000+ from clients over the years. After his arrest on Wednesday, he killed himself on Thursday. It’s a sad and tragic story.
We’re all faced with “the Joneses.” I once worked for someone who, by my measure, was very wealthy. He made a fortune as a lawyer, held well paying seats on boards, and took lavish vacations. He considered himself “poor,” however, because his friend was Jim Irsay. Yes, the guy who owns the Indianapolis Colts. Jim’s home was amazing, with a compound housing a huge building for entertaining 500+ of his closest friends. I felt poor because my boss had so much, he felt poor because Irsay had so much. Maybe Irsay felt rich, but I doubt it.
Mike Symmes, by all measure, was a nice guy. He went to Ball State, owned a business, raised a family. He fell into a trap waiting for any one of us. Many people misquote and say “money is the root of all evil.” The actual quote is “the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.” It’s that love that can warp even good people into doing bad things.
There is a life lesson here. America has some of the greatest “toys” on the planet. With cool phones, great cars, and amazing computers. We have access to interesting vacation spots, fun experiences, and unique joys. But, they all come at a cost. My folks have a little sign in their home. It says, “Happiness isn’t having everything you want…but, being happy with everything you have.”
The death of Mike Symmes is sad for so many reasons. The wife, children, and grandchildren he leaves behind. The stain of suicide. The financial victims. Most tragic, though, is this death and case didn’t have to happen. The American dream image he tried to create became a nightmare.
Add A Comment