Hmm, this sounds like a discussion I've had with my mom, which resulted in the same dichotomy of values. We don't have to reconcile our different opinions. Like I say, to each, his own.

I would say that at the least the influence of my grandparents and parents did leave me two very good models upon which to base my priorities, one seems correct and successful, the other less so. We do all follow our own paths, though.