Naomi Slavish

The Heirloom

Every family has an heirloom- not the traditional type that is passed down from eldest to eldest or mother to daughter- but to the most worthy of the next generation. It was supposed to make for a more career-oriented, successful society. And it did.... but unfortunately, successful careers don’t make for conscientious living or content people. The heated competition burned everything in its path. Those deemed unworthy were left scorched by the wayside, most depressed and in despair- and steralized. The successful were not left unscathed, though- the ever elusive goal of ‘successful enough’ frozen into their minds.